Abstract
Radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA) is a medical procedure currently widely adopted for liver tumors treatment. Its outcome is strongly influenced by temperature distribution near the RF applicator therefore continuous measurements are required both to validate RFTA numerical models and to better control the outcome of the procedure. The space-time evolution of the thermal field during RFTA on ex vivo porcine liver tissue has been measured by infrared thermal imaging in different experimental setups. A three-dimensional simulation of the whole experiment reproduces all the features of the thermal field measurements and validates the proposed measurement methodology.
Highlights
Radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA) is a medical procedure currently widely adopted for liver tumors treatment
The space-time evolution of the thermal field during RFTA on ex vivo porcine liver tissue has been measured by infrared thermal imaging in different experimental setups
In the last 10 years, many works in medical literature have highlighted the importance of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA) in the treatment of liver tumors
Summary
In the last 10 years, many works in medical literature have highlighted the importance of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA) in the treatment of liver tumors. Vapor bubble generation close to the active electrode breaks the electrical continuity between the needle and the tissue, and stops the procedure. The literature has highlighted both the merits of the technique (e.g., ease of use, minimally invasive) and its limits (e.g., procedure duration limited by vaporization). The dimension of treatable tumors has progressively grown using cooling and extensible tips of various shapes and today lesions of 3-3.5 cm can be often achieved (van Sonnenberg et al, 2005). The main challenges deal with: (1) how to get larger lesions and control their development and outcome, (2) how to apply the method to tissues physically unfit for RFTA (poorly electrically conductive tissues), (3) how to input power efficiently and with even less invasive methods
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