Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026
05:28
Clinical Imaging of Microwave Mammography
Published on: November 14, 2025
432
CT imaging during microwave ablation: analysis of spatial and temporal tissue contraction
Dong Liu1, Christopher L Brace1
1Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705.
Medical Physics
|November 6, 2014
Summary
Liver tissue significantly contracts after high-temperature ablation, with the greatest reduction occurring centrally. Contraction rates peak early and diminish over time, impacting final ablation zone size.
Area of Science:
- Interventional Radiology
- Medical Physics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- High-temperature ablation is a common medical procedure.
- Understanding tissue response is crucial for optimizing treatment.
- Computed tomography (CT) enables real-time monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze liver tissue contraction during high-temperature ablation.
- To investigate the spatial distribution and temporal development of this contraction.
- To utilize intraprocedural CT imaging for precise measurement.
Main Methods:
- Six ex vivo bovine liver samples were used.
- Aluminum fiducial markers were placed in a grid around an ablation antenna.
- Microwave ablation was performed, with CT imaging every 30 seconds to track marker motion and calculate contraction.
Main Results:
- Postablation zones were ~20% smaller radially and ~10% shorter longitudinally.
- Total ablation volume decreased by approximately 45%.
- Central tissues showed >60% contraction, while peripheral tissues contracted ~15%; contraction rates peaked within 60 seconds.
Conclusions:
- Ablation zones are significantly smaller posttreatment than pretreatment dimensions.
- Tissue contraction is spatially dependent, most pronounced centrally.
- Contraction rate is highest early and decreases over time.
