Image-based multi-scale modelling and validation of radio-frequency ablation in liver tumours
Journal
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
Journal Volume
369
Journal Issue
1954
Pages
4233-4254
Date Issued
2011
Author(s)
Abstract
The treatment of cancerous tumours in the liver remains clinically challenging, despite the wide range of treatment possibilities, including radio-frequency ablation (RFA), highintensity focused ultrasound and resection, which are currently available. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. For non- or minimally invasive modalities, such as RFA, considered here, it is difficult to monitor the treatment in vivo. This is particularly problematic in the liver, where large blood vessels act as heat sinks, dissipating delivered heat and shrinking the size of the lesion (the volume damaged by the heat treatment) locally; considerable experience is needed on the part of the clinician to optimize the heat treatment to prevent recurrence. In this paper, we outline our work towards developing a simulation tool kit that could be used both to optimize treatment protocols in advance and to train the less-experienced clinicians for RFA treatment of liver tumours. This tool is based on a comprehensive mathematical model of bio-heat transfer and cell death. We show how simulations of ablations in two pigs, based on individualized imaging data, compare directly with experimentally measured lesion sizes and discuss the likely sources of error and routes towards clinical implementation. This is the first time that such a 'loop' of mathematical modelling and experimental validation in vivo has been performed in this context, and such validation enables us to make quantitative estimates of error. This journal is ? 2011 The Royal Society.
Subjects
Blood vessels
Cell death
Heat transfer
Heat treatment
Image analysis
Liver
Models
Radio waves
Shrinkage
Tumors
Bio-heat transfer
Experimental validations
High intensity focused ultrasound
Large blood vessels
Minimally invasive
Multi-scale modelling
Quantitative estimates
Radio-frequency Ablation
Ablation
algorithm
animal
article
biological model
biology
biophysics
blood vessel
catheter ablation
computer program
heat
human
image processing
liver
liver tumor
methodology
normal distribution
pathology
radiation exposure
radiofrequency radiation
theoretical model
Algorithms
Animals
Biophysics
Blood Vessels
Catheter Ablation
Computational Biology
Hot Temperature
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Liver Neoplasms
Models, Biological
Models, Theoretical
Normal Distribution
Radio Waves
Software
SDGs
Type
journal article