Radiofrequency ablation of brain tumours using MR guidance

Summary

MR-guided stereotactic thermal ablation was developed as a minimally invasive brain tumour treatment. Eighteen primary or metastatic brain tumours were treated in 15 patients. The entire procedure was performed under local anaesthesia in an MR suite. The outcome was analysed with 13-30 months of clinical follow-up. Local control was achieved in nine tumours in eight patients. Among them four patients with five tumours were disease-free for more than 22 months after the treatment. Four patients died from systemic disease or primary cancer while metastatic brain tumours were locally controlled. Local recurrence was seen in hypervascular metastatic tumours and a glioblastoma multiforme. For metastatic and primary brain tumours, MR provides not only accurate localization of brain tumour but also near real time thermal monitoring of acute tissue changes. This immediate imaging feedback facilitates safe and complete coagulation of the brain tumour. Based on our limited sample experiences, it is hoped that relatively long-term local control can be obtained in non-hypervascular metastases. MR-guided stereotactic RF thermal ablation is an attractive and promising technique, offering a potential treatment alternative for patients with previously treated brain tumour or systemic illness preventing other more conventional therapies.

Key Words:

• MR-guided therapy
• interventional MR
• brain tumour
• thermal ablation