CT-monitored minimal ablative margin control in single-session microwave ablation of liver tumors: an effective strategy for local tumor control.

Objectives: To investigate the usefulness of minimal ablative margin (MAM) control by intra-procedural contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) in microwave ablation (MWA) of liver tumors.

Methods: A total of 334 consecutive liver tumors (240 hepatocellular carcinomas [HCCs] and 94 colorectal liver metastases [CRLMs]) in 172 patients treated with percutaneous MWA were retrospectively included. MAM of each tumor was assessed after expected ablation completion using intra-procedural CECT, allowing within-session additional ablation to any potentially insufficient margin.