Purpose
To describe clinical use and potential benefits of Cone Beam Computed
Tomography (CBCT) navigation to perform image guided percutaneous tumor ablations.
Materials and Methods
All ablations performed between February 2011 and February 2013 using CBCT
navigation, were included. Sixteen patients underwent 20 ablations for 29 lesions. CBCT
ablation planning capabilities include multimodality image fusion and tumor segmentation
for visualization, depiction of the predicted ablation zones for intra-procedural
planning and segmentation of the ablated area for immediate post-treatment verification.
Number and purpose of CBCT were examined. The initial ablation plan defined as number of
probes and duration of energy delivery was recorded for 20/29 lesions. Technical success
and local recurrences were recorded. Primary and secondary effectiveness rates were
calculated.
Results
Image fusion was utilized for 16 lesions and intra-procedural ultrasound for 4.
Of the 20/29 lesions, where the ablation plans were recorded, there was no deviation
from the plan in 14. In the remaining 6/20, iterative planning was needed for complete
tumor coverage. An average of 8.7 ± 3.2 CBCT were performed per procedure,
including 1.3 ± 0.5 for tumor segmentation and planning, 1.7 ± 0.7 for
probe position confirmation, 3.9 ± 2 to ensure complete coverage. Mean follow-up
was 18.6 ± 6.5 months.
28/29 ablations were technically successful (96.5%). Of ablations
performed with curative intent, technical effectiveness at one-month was 25/26
(96.1%) and 22/26 (84.6%) at last follow-up. Local tumor progression was
observed in 11.5% (3/26).
Conclusion
CBCT navigation may add information to assist and improve ablation guidance and
monitoring.