First validation of a model-based hepatic percutaneous microwave ablation planning on a clinical dataset

Abstract

A model-based planning tool, integrated in an imaging system, is envisioned for CT-guided percutaneous microwave ablation. This study aims to evaluate the biophysical model performance, by comparing its prediction retrospectively with the actual ablation ground truth from a clinical dataset in liver. The biophysical model uses a simplified formulation of heat deposition on the applicator and a heat sink related to vasculature to solve the bioheat equation. A performance metric is defined to assess how the planned ablation overlaps the actual ground truth. Results demonstrate superiority of this model prediction compared to manufacturer tabulated data and a significant influence of the vasculature cooling effect. Nevertheless, vasculature shortage due to branches occlusion and applicator misalignment due to registration error between scans affects the thermal prediction. With a more accurate vasculature segmentation, occlusion risk can be estimated, whereas branches can be used as liver landmarks to improve the registration accuracy. Overall, this study emphasizes the benefit of a model-based thermal ablation solution in better planning the ablation procedures. Contrast and registration protocols must be adapted to facilitate its integration into the clinical workflow.

Treatment Planning Strategies for Interstitial Ultrasound Ablation of Prostate Cancer

“…Treatment planning [35] , [36] , [37] and computational models are important tools currently under development for many modalities to guide and tailor interstitial thermal ablation procedures and may provide for safer and more effective outcomes [38] , [39] , [40] . These planning and modeling tools can determine optimal designs and patterns of use, and through patient specific treatment planning optimize the device operating parameters and placement to selectively improve the tumor or target ablative temperature and thermal dose coverage.…”