Magnetic resonance imaging-navigated argon-helium cryoablation therapy against a rabbit VX2 brain tumor

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibility of interventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided and monitored argon-helium cryoablation for the treatment of brain tumors in rabbits. In addition, the present study evaluated the associations between imaging and pathology, the therapeutic effects and the effects on the surrounding normal tissues. A total of 14 rabbits were equally divided into groups C and D. Under general anesthesia, the skull was drilled and tumor blocks were implanted. Subsequently, a New Zealand rabbit VX2 brain tumor model was successfully established. Rabbits in group C were treated with argon-helium cryoablation and those in group D did not undergo any treatment (control). Regular postoperative MRI scanning was performed to observe the changes in tumor size, and the survival times of the rabbits in groups C and D were recorded. The extent of necrosis in the brain tumor exhibited a significant correlation with the freezing time of cryoablation, and the necrotic region was shown to be the same size as the ice ball. The survival times of the rabbits in the treatment group (group C) were significantly prolonged. Therefore, the observations of the present study demonstrated that the VX2 brain tumor model, produced using an improved tumor block implantation method, was stable and suitable for MRI observation and interventional study. In addition, argon-helium cryoablation was shown to be a safe and feasible therapeutic method for the treatment of brain tumors, and was demonstrated to significantly increase the survival times of the brain tumor-bearing rabbits. IntroductionPrimary brain tumors have a high incidence rate, and tumor growth is invasive with an obscure boundary (1). Although brain tumors can be resected through various treatment methods, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, disease progression is unable to be effectively controlled. In addition, the prognosis of patients with a brain tumor is usually poor, with a short survival time and severe sequelae (2).Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-navigated argonhelium cryoablation is a new advanced technology. MRI is known to have good tissue resolution and a multiplanar imaging capability. In particular, the temperature-sensitive characteristics of MRI, which enable the clear and real-time display of the size and range of the ice ball (which destroys the tumor cells), has resulted in this imaging technique becoming the focus in clinical cryotherapy against multiple-system tumors, with satisfactory results previously achieved (3-7). Although MRI has an unparalleled advantage in nervous system imaging compared with other methods (8), there are a limited number of domestic and foreign studies investigating MRI-navigated cryotherapy for the treatment of brain tumors.In the present study, a rabbit VX2 brain tumor model was established that was suitable for MRI imaging and interventional therapy. The model was used for the preliminary study of MRI-navigated argon-helium cryoablation therapy against t...

Observation of the effect of targeted therapy of 64-slice spiral CT combined with cryoablation for liver cancer

“…With the development of technology in recent years, it has become one of the important means of minimally invasive treatment for liver cancer and other tumors[ 8 , 19 ]. Cryoablation therapy is the combined application of ultra-low temperature and re-warming technology, in which tumor tissues are rapidly frozen and melted to damage tumor cells[ 20 , 21 ]. With the right guidance technology, the frozen knife was placed in the tumor tissue; and high pressure argon and helium was successively input at room temperature.…”