Iceball growth 3D simulation model based on finite element method for hepatic cryoablation planning

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Computational Biology
• Surgical Simulation

Background:

• Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations aid liver tumor cryoablation planning.
• Current FEM models are time-consuming and lack sufficient accuracy for clinical use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid and accurate FEM-based simulation model for predicting iceball size during hepatic cryofreezing.
• To enhance preoperative planning systems for liver cryoablation procedures.

Main Methods:

• A 3D simulation model using the Pennes bioheat equation predicted iceball size.
• Ex vivo porcine liver experiments and clinical data (CT-guided percutaneous hepatic cryoablation) were used for validation.
• Dice Score Coefficient (DSC) and Hausdorff distance (HD) quantified simulation accuracy.

Main Results:

• Simulated iceball growth curves closely matched ex vivo experimental data (MAE < 2.9 mm, R² > 0.85).
• Clinical validation demonstrated high accuracy (DSC = 0.87 ± 0.03, HD = 2.0 ± 0.4 mm).
• Average computational time was only 23.2 seconds per simulation.

Conclusions:

• The proposed simulation model provides fast and accurate iceball size predictions for hepatic cryoablation.
• This model has the potential to enable practical preoperative cryoablation planning systems.