• Andreas H Mahnken, Arno Buecker, Elmar Spuentrup, Gabriele A Krombach, Dietrich Henzler, Rolf W Günther, and Josef Tacke.
• Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Aachen University of Technology, Aachen, Germany. mahnken@rad.rwth-aachen.de
• J Magn Reson Imaging. 2004 Mar 1; 19 (3): 342-8.

PurposeTo assess the feasibility of magnetic resonance (MR)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatic malignancies using a high-field MR scanner.Materials And MethodsA total of 10 patients with 14 primary (N = 1) or secondary (N = 13) hepatic malignancies underwent MR-guided RFA using a closed-bore 1.5 T MR scanner. Lesion diameters ranged from 2.0 cm to 4.7 cm. RFA was performed using a 200-W generator in combination with a 3.5-cm LeVeen electrode applying a standardized energy protocol.ResultsRFA was technically feasible in all patients. Necrosis diameter ranged from 2.5 cm to 6.8 cm. The mean follow-up period is 12.2 (1-18) months. In nine out of 10 patients, local tumor control was achieved. For this purpose, a second CT-guided RFA was required in two patients. In four patients, multifocal hepatic tumor progression occurred, with the treated lesion remaining tumor-free in three of these patients. Two patients showed extrahepatic tumor progression. Four patients remained tumor-free. No major complications occurred.ConclusionMR-guided RFA of hepatic malignancies in a closed-bore high-field MR scanner is technically feasible and safe. It can be advantageous in locations considered unfavorable for CT-guided puncture or in patients in which iodinated contrast material is contraindicated.Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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