Image-guided high-dose-rate brachytherapy of malignancies in various inner organs - technique, indications, and perspectives.

In the last few years, minimally invasive tumor ablation performed by interventional radiologists has gained increasing relevance in oncologic patient care. Limitations of thermal ablation techniques such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), and laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT), including large tumor size, cooling effects of adjacent vessels, and tumor location near thermosensitive structures, have led to the development of image-guided high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy, especially for the treatment of liver malignancies. This article reviews technical properties of image-guided brachytherapy, indications and its current clinical role in multimodal cancer treatment.

Efficacy and safety of image-guided interstitial single fraction high-dose-rate brachytherapy in the management of metastatic malignant melanoma.

Purpose: Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided brachytherapy provides high tumor control rates in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal liver metastases. In contrast to thermal ablation methods such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), much less restrictions apply with respect to tumor location or size. In this study, we determined the efficacy and safety of CT- or MRI-guided brachytherapy in metastatic melanoma.

Characterization and prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the non-cirrhotic liver.

Background: HCC predominantly develops in the condition of chronic inflammation that has led to liver cirrhosis. A small proportion of patients with HCC is diagnosed in the non-cirrhotic liver (NCL). Data on patients with HCC in NCL in advanced stages are scarce.

MR guidance and thermometry of percutaneous laser disc decompression in open MRI: an initial clinical investigation.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility, safety and efficacy of real-time MR guidance and thermometry of percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD).

Methods: Twenty-four discs in 22 patients with chronic low-back and radicular pain were treated by PLDD using open 1.0-T magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI).