Image fusion as a new postprocessing method to evaluate the radiofrequency ablation zone after treatment of malignant liver tumors.
OBJECTIVE
We describe a manual segmentation and image fusion method to assess the relationship between liver tumors and the radiofrequency ablation zone depicted on cross-sectional imaging.


CONCLUSIONS
Manual fusion of segmented images of hepatic tumors from a preprocedural scan with the ablation zone depicted on the postinterventional imaging examination may be used to create a composite image demonstrating the ablation margin. This technique may improve evaluation of the size of the ablation margin around the circumference of the tumor, thereby predicting which patients are more likely to incur local tumor recurrence.
Iyer
Ramesh S
RS
Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA. riyer@u.washington.edu
Timm
Brian A
BA
Mitsumori
Lee M
LM
Kolokythas
Orpheus
O
D017115:Catheter Ablation; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
D003287:Contrast Media