Liver tumor laser ablation - increase in the subacute ablation lesion volume detected with post procedural MRI

The use of image-guided thermoablative methods in liver tumor treatment has expanded rapidly due to encouraging results and advanced imaging. However, little is known about the treatment-induced tissue response and effects on imaging findings during the subacute post procedural period.

To study the development of subacute ablation zone volume with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after laser-mediated liver tumor thermal therapy.

In all, 16 laser ablations were performed on 16 liver tumors resulting in 16 ablation zones in 11 consecutive patients. A low-field 0.23 T C-arm MRI scanner was used for imaging and procedural guidance. Repeated dynamic contrast-enhanced T1, contrast-enhanced T1 FSE, and T2 FSE studies of liver were performed at 0 and 72 h after the procedure. Ablation zone volumes were registered from the acquired image data.

MRI scans showed a significant increase of ablation volume in all imaging sequences obtained at 72 h after the initial therapy.

After laser ablation, there is a progressive perfusion decrease in the ablation site leading to an increase in the ablation volume. Post procedural baseline MRI at 72 h from the treatment provides more precise information about the ablation result than can be obtained with immediate post procedural MRI.