Advanced computer assistance for magnetic resonance-guided microwave thermocoagulation of liver tumors

Initial experiences with MR Image-guided laparoscopic microwave coagulation therapy for hepatic tumors

“…Using the MR-guided navigation system, we have successfully performed MCT at our institution since 2000 [16][17][18][19][20][21]. Seventy-three patients with liver malignancies adjacent to the diaphragm underwent a thoracoscopic procedure [26] and six patients with tumors adjacent to intra-abdominal organs were required to undergo a laparoscopic procedure.…”

“…The safety margin is the most important factor for achieving the optimal treatment outcome [28][29][30]. To improve the accuracy of MCT, we developed a "Footprint" system [31]. A session of coagulation therapy produces an oval-shaped treated lesion.…”

“…For these reasons, we developed a novel interventional MR-guided surgical system (IVMR) using a vertical type open-configured MR scanner for continuous real-time guidance during the surgical procedure. Over 200 cases of percutaneous MCT have been performed on the IVMR system [16][17][18][19][20][21]. In this study, we applied laparoscopic assistance to this system for patients with hepatic tumors who were not able to be treated via a percutaneous approach.…”

Real-Time Magnetic Resonance-Guided Microwave Coagulation Therapy for Pelvic Recurrence of Rectal Cancer: Initial Clinical Experience Using a 0.5 T Open Magnetic Resonance System

“…20 Footprint enables surgeons to perform repeated punctures and ablations on irregular and large tumors. 37 Furthermore, MR images are not affected by bone and air space, or by microbubbles formed during ablation. 26 Thus, MR-MCT for hepatic tumors can be performed thoracoscopically via the thoracic space and diaphragm, or laparoscopically, and through percutaneous puncture.…”

Application of Open Source Image Guided Therapy Software in MR-guided Therapies

“…Users can define fiducial points in the three-dimensional space in both 2D image planes and 3D graphics scenes using a mouse pointer or digital wand. For instance, Morikawa et al used fiducials to mark an ablated lesion in a liver during MR-guided microwave therapy [5]; in brain surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital, we used the fiducials for marking a cortical stimulation point on the cortex and compared them with the images.…”