MRI-guided fiducial marker implantation as a method of tagging an ultrasound- and non-enhanced CT-invisible liver tumor before thermal ablation

Abstract

Some liver tumors are not visible on ultrasound or non-enhanced computed tomography (NECT) which are the main modalities used in image-guided ablations. This is a report of magnetic resonance-guided implantation of a fiducial marker to tag a neuroendocrine tumor metastasis in a patient with renal insufficiency precluding the use of a contrast-enhanced CT during ablation. The marker was well visible on NECT which allowed for precise needle placement and complete ablation which was confirmed in 12-month follow-up.

The use of medical imaging methods for percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of hepatic metastases of colorectal cancer

“…CT control of RFA applicator insertion occupies an intermediate position between ultrasound and MRI in terms of imaging quality, image acquisition time, equipment availability, procedure complexity, and cost [13,14]. Unlike ultrasound, CT provides a three-dimensional image of the tumour and surrounding structures, and intravenous contrast facilitates visualisation of blood vessels and allows for assessment of tissue vascularisation.…”