title: Image-guided tumor ablation: standardization of terminology and reporting criteria.
abstract: The field of interventional oncology with use of image-guided tumor ablation requires standardization of terminology and reporting criteria to facilitate effective communication of ideas and appropriate comparison between treatments that use different technologies, such as chemical (ethanol or acetic acid) ablation, and thermal therapies, such as radiofrequency (RF), laser, microwave, ultrasound, and cryoablation. This document provides a framework that will hopefully facilitate the clearest communication between investigators and will provide the greatest flexibility in comparison between the many new, exciting, and emerging technologies. An appropriate vehicle for reporting the various aspects of image-guided ablation therapy, including classification of therapies and procedure terms, appropriate descriptors of imaging guidance, and terminology to define imaging and pathologic findings, are outlined. Methods for standardizing the reporting of follow-up findings and complications and other important aspects that require attention when reporting clinical results are addressed. It is the group's intention that adherence to the recommendations will facilitate achievement of the group's main objective: improved precision and communication in this field that lead to more accurate comparison of technologies and results and, ultimately, to improved patient outcomes. The intent of this standardization of terminology is to provide an appropriate vehicle for reporting the various aspects of image-guided ablation therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. sgoldber@caregroup.harvard.edu
authors.forename: S Nahum
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: Clement J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Cardella
authors.forename: J William
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Charboneau
authors.forename: Gerald D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Dodd
authors.forename: Damian E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Dupuy
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gervais
authors.forename: Alice R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gillams
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: Fred T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tito
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Livraghi
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGahan
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Hyunchul
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rhim
authors.forename: Stuart G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Silverman
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*; D009626:Terminology as Topic