An Integrated Platform for Tumor Targeting and Thermal Ablation: Improving Efficacy and Efficiency of Percutaneous Liver Cancer Treatment.

Motivation: Efficient and effective microwave ablation (MWA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly dependent on clinician experience, tumor conspicuity and accurate and precise targeting. Goal(s): Demonstrate the efficacy and efficiency of an integrated image-guidance platform for antenna placement and temperature monitoring during MWA of HCC. Approach: Motion-compensated MR-ultrasound (U/S) fusion via deep learning-based deformable registration, referenceless MR thermometry (MRT), OpenIGTLink data transfer and 3D slicer visualization were implemented. Results: MR-U/S fusion and U/S images were simultaneously streamed to three viewing workstations at 2 frames per second. MRT images were representative of the temperature and thermal dose distribution within the ablated tissue. Impact: The implemented integrated platform has the potential to enhance the efficacy and efficiency of MWA procedures in HCC treatment via precise tumor targeting and improved temperature monitoring. The integrated platform is deployable for other kinds of ablative procedures and pathologies.