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Dynamic changes in liver volume calculated using a three-dimensional visualisation system after microwave ablation of
Linan Dong1, Zhigang Cheng1, Fangyi Liu1
1Department of Interventional Ultrasound, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
Medical Physics
|April 2, 2022
Summary
Microwave ablation (MWA) for liver cancer (HCC) temporarily increases liver volume but returns to normal within 3 months. This MWA procedure for early-stage HCC does not cause liver volume loss and may protect liver function.
Area of Science:
- Hepatobiliary Surgery
- Interventional Radiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver malignancy.
- Microwave ablation (MWA) is a minimally invasive treatment for HCC.
- Understanding post-ablation liver volume and function changes is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in liver volume and function following MWA for HCC.
- To assess the impact of ablation volume on liver volume changes.
- To evaluate the influence of liver volume changes on curative effect assessment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 76 patients with 106 HCC nodules treated with MWA.
- Liver and ablation volumes calculated using 3D MRI visualization.
- Multiple regression and deformable image registration (DIR) used for analysis.
Main Results:
- Entire liver volume (ELV) increased by 10.1% within 3 days post-MWA, returning to baseline by 3 months.
- Liver function tests (ALT, AST, T-Bil) peaked within 3 days and normalized within 1 month.
- Ablation volume proportion correlated with increased ELV and liver enzyme levels; DIR showed tumor volume enlargement due to ELV increase.
Conclusions:
- MWA for early-stage HCC induces temporary liver volume increase but not permanent loss.
- MWA appears to preserve liver function and is not associated with significant liver volume reduction.
- Liver deformation post-ablation necessitates appropriate constraints in DIR for accurate margin evaluation.
