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Tumor ablation therapy of liver cancers with an open magnetic resonance imaging-based navigation system

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Abstract

Background

As minimally invasive treatments for liver cancers, percutaneous ablation therapies represent a valid alternative to liver resections, especially in patients with poor liver function. Recently, image-guided surgical and interventional procedures using open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been introduced.

Methods

We performed percutaneous ablation therapy for 51 nodules of liver cancer in 34 patients using a navigation system based on open MRI. During the ablation therapy, the ultrasonography (US) probe, needle, and tumor were displayed on the MR image. Immediately after the procedure, the therapeutic effect was evaluated by open MRI.

Results

In all cases, percutaneous puncture into the tumors was successful, even in the case of tumor undetectable by US. Mean fiducial registration error was approximately 3 mm. MR images captured after the procedure clearly demonstrated the ablated area. No mortality or major complications occurred, except for mild hemorrhage, pyrexia, and ascites.

Conclusions

We developed a novel navigation system integrating US and MR images using open MRI for percutaneous ablation therapy of liver cancers. The presented system allows a safe and accurate approach to liver cancers, especially certain tumors that cannot be adequately visualized by US, and an evaluation of therapeutic results immediately after the procedures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Future Medicine and Innovative Medical Information, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan

    Takashi Maeda, Kozo Konishi & Takanori Nakatsuji

  2. Redox Navi Institute, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

    Jaesung Hong

  3. Department of Advanced Medical Initiatives, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

    Takefumi Yasunaga, Hideaki Nakashima & Makoto Hashizume

  4. Department of Surgery and Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

    Yo-ichi Yamashita, Akinobu Taketomi & Yoshihiko Maehara

  5. Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

    Kazuhiro Kotoh & Munechika Enjoji

  6. Department of Advanced Medicine and Innovative Technology, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan

    Kazuo Tanoue & Makoto Hashizume

Authors
  1. Takashi Maeda
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  2. Jaesung Hong
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  3. Kozo Konishi
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  4. Takanori Nakatsuji
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  5. Takefumi Yasunaga
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  7. Akinobu Taketomi
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  8. Kazuhiro Kotoh
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  9. Munechika Enjoji
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  10. Hideaki Nakashima
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  11. Kazuo Tanoue
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  12. Yoshihiko Maehara
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  13. Makoto Hashizume
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Takashi Maeda.

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Maeda, T., Hong, J., Konishi, K. et al. Tumor ablation therapy of liver cancers with an open magnetic resonance imaging-based navigation system. Surg Endosc 23, 1048–1053 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-008-0123-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-008-0123-6

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