Understanding the Nuances of Microwave Ablation for More Accurate Post-Treatment Assessment

Abstract

Microwave ablation (MWA) is a relatively new thermal modality for minimally invasive procedures compared with radiofrequency ablation. Although MWA and radiofrequency ablation are thermal modalities, their underlying physics and principles greatly differ. Consequently, it is imperative that clinicians be aware of how these differences impact realized ablation volumes to consistently ensure technical success and better patient outcomes. This paper will review the nuances specific to MWA technology (i.e., tissue properties, perfusion/heat sink effect, ablation assessment, imaging accuracy and tissue contraction) that are often overlooked based on familiarity with conventional thermal modalities to guide more accurate assessment of post-treatment MWA volumes.

Keywords::

• ablation assessment
• heat sink effect
• imaging accuracy
• microwave ablation
• microwave ablation devices
• radiofrequency ablation
• thermal ablation
• tissue contraction

Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge S Dietz, Global Director of Oncology/Surgery at AngioDynamics, for identifying the need for a publication to address ex vivo and in vivo differences and for providing helpful feedback. The author would also like to acknowledge DM Liu, Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, at University of British Columbia for reviewing the paper and encouraging submission to Future Oncology for publication.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

C Kim is an employee of AngioDynamics. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.