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Updated: Oct 9, 2026
Thermal Ablation for the Treatment of Abdominal Tumors
Published on: March 7, 2011
MR-guided percutaneous cryotherapy of the liver: in vivo evaluation with histologic correlation in an animal model
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Technology, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany. tacke@rad.rwth-aachen.de
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of MR-guided percutaneous cryotherapy of the porcine liver and to correlate the resulting tissue necrosis with MR imaging and histology. Using an MR-compatible, argon-based cryotherapy system (CryoHit; Galil Medical Ltd., Israel) with 2- and 3-mm diameter tapered cryotherapy probes, MR-guided percutaneous cryotherapy was performed in seven pigs (mean body weight, 40 kg) under general anesthesia in a short-bore magnet (1.5 T ACS NT; Philips, The Netherlands) using an ultrafast T2-weighted single-shot LoLo TSE sequence and a T1-weighted gradient-echo sequence. The frozen liver tissue was depicted accurately on fast T2- and T1-weighted sequences, providing precise delineation of the ablated tissue volume. On follow-up postcontrast MR controls, the cryolesions appeared avascular. They decreased in size compared with the initially frozen volume down to 70% at a 2-week follow-up. Histologically, a coagulation necrosis with a close correlation to the MR follow-up examinations was objectified. No cryotherapy-related complications occurred. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;13:50-56.
Insights
MR-guided cryotherapy is feasible for porcine livers, accurately depicting ablated tissue and showing necrosis correlated with histology. This minimally invasive technique demonstrated effective tissue ablation without complications.
Area of Science:
- Interventional Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Oncology
Background:
- Percutaneous cryotherapy is an ablative technique for liver tumors.
- Magnetic Resonance (MR) guidance offers real-time imaging for precise intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of MR-guided percutaneous cryotherapy in a porcine liver model.
- To correlate MR imaging findings with histological outcomes of tissue necrosis.
Main Methods:
- MR-guided percutaneous cryotherapy was performed on seven pigs using an MR-compatible argon-based system.
- Imaging utilized ultrafast T2-weighted and T1-weighted sequences on a 1.5 T magnet.
- Histological analysis was conducted to evaluate tissue necrosis.
Main Results:
- MR imaging accurately depicted frozen liver tissue and delineated ablated volumes.
- Cryolesions appeared avascular on follow-up MR scans and decreased in size by 30% at 2 weeks.
- Histology confirmed coagulation necrosis, correlating well with MR follow-up.
Conclusions:
- MR-guided percutaneous cryotherapy is a feasible technique for porcine liver ablation.
- The study demonstrates accurate depiction and correlation of cryolesions with histological findings.
- No complications were observed, suggesting safety and efficacy.
