Image-guided tumor ablation: standardization of terminology and reporting criteria.
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.
Goldberg
S Nahum
SN
Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. sgoldber@caregroup.harvard.edu
Grassi
Clement J
CJ
Cardella
John F
JF
Charboneau
J William
JW
Dodd
Gerald D
GD
Dupuy
Damian E
DE
Gervais
Debra A
DA
Gillams
Alice R
AR
Kane
Robert A
RA
Lee
Fred T
FT
Livraghi
Tito
T
McGahan
John
J
Phillips
David A
DA
Rhim
Hyunchul
H
Silverman
Stuart G
SG
Solbiati
Luigi
L
Vogl
Thomas J
TJ
Wood
Bradford J
BJ
Vedantham
Suresh
S
Sacks
David
D