Treatment

During the treatment, measurements are made to evaluate the ongoing ablation process. Some RF ablation devices rely on temperature measurements at the tip of the needle, some others use electrical impedance measurements as a way to asses treatment progress.

RF ablation treatment control: electrical impedance (left), temperature at needle tip (right).

Monitoring ongoing treatment with US provides only qualitative information that something is going on or not, but no temperature maps. CT does not provide any information at all and is therefore never used during treatment. MR does provide informations about the treatment progress like temperature maps and thermal dose maps. Thermal dose is considered to be the best indicator of final lesion size in a thermal ablation procedure.

Treatment monitoring with US and MRI (temperature and Thermal dose maps)

RF ablation device manufacturers links