title: New horizons in MR-controlled and monitored radiofrequency ablation of liver tumours.
abstract: There is a sustained interest in using magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry to monitor the radiofrequency ablation of liver tumours as a means of visualizing the progress of the thermal coagulation and deciding the optimal end-point. Despite numerous technical challenges, important progress has been made and demonstrated in animal studies. In addition to MR thermometry, MR can now be used for the guidance of the tumour targeting with 'fluoroscopic' rapid image acquisition, and it can provide several contrast mechanisms for post-procedural assessment of the extent of the thermal coagulation zone. Challenges of in vivo simultaneous MR thermometry implementation and the current limitations of the thermal dose model for the estimation of the extent of the thermal coagulation zone are discussed. MR imaging could enhance the success of RF ablation of liver tumours due to its potential to provide accurate targeting, monitoring, and post-procedural evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Geneva University Hospital, 24, rue Micheli-du-Crest, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. alexandru.cernicanu@hcuge.ch
authors.forename: Alexandru
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cernicanu
authors.forename: Matthieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lepetit-Coiffé
authors.forename: Magalie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Viallon
authors.forename: Sylvain
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Terraz
authors.forename: Christoph D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D004566:Electrodes; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D053783:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Interventional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D013817:Thermography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods