title: Evaluation of a Novel Thermal Accelerant for Augmentation of Microwave Energy during Image-guided Tumor Ablation.
abstract: The primary challenge in thermal ablation of liver tumors (e.g. hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic colorectal cancer) is the relatively high recurrence rate (~30%) for which incomplete ablation at the periphery of the tumor is the most common reason. In an attempt to overcome this, we have developed a novel thermal accelerant (TA) agent capable of augmenting microwave energy from a distance normally unattainable by a single microwave ablation antenna. This cesium-based block co-polymer compound transforms from a liquid to a gel at body temperature and is intrinsically visible by computed tomography. Using an agarose phantom model, herein we demonstrate that both the rate and magnitude of temperature increase during microwave ablation were significantly greater in the presence of TA when compared with controls. These results suggest robust augmentation of microwave energy, and may translate into larger ablation zone volumes within biologic tissues. Further work usingin vivotechniques is necessary to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: William Keun Chan
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: Aaron Wilhelm Palmer
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Maxwell
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: Victoria Elizabeth
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: Michael Patrick
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Primmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: Scott Andrew
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: Grayson Luderman
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: Damian Edward
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Dupuy
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D061089:Radiotherapy, Image-Guided / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Image-guided thermal ablation; PLGA-PEG-PLGA; augmentation of microwave energy; block-co-polymer; complex dielectric permittivity; dielectric constant; dipole moment; loss factor.; microwave ablation; non-radioactive cesium chloride; thermal accelerant