A Selective Review of Commonly Used Sonography-Guided Hyperthermic Ablative Technologies for Malignant Lesions of the Liver

Abstract

The use of percutaneous ablation therapy to manage focal malignant liver lesions has been widely embraced and integrated into clinical practice. These minimally invasive procedures offer a successful alternative to surgery for patients limited by poor hepatic reserve or problematic anatomy. Radiofrequency is currently the most commonly performed ablation therapy technique; however, new research in the field of microwave technology suggests certain advantages over radio frequency. This article analyzes the differences between these two technologies and discusses the circumstances in which one method may be preferred over the other for hepatic malignancies.