Comparison of iceball diameter and temperature distribution achieved with 3-mm Accuprobe cryoprobes in porcine and human liver tissue and human colorectal liver metastases in vitro

We aimed to assess the thermal profile and size of iceballs produced by Acc uprobe cryoprobes in Fresh porcine and human liver and human colorectal can cer liver metastases in vitro to allow better planning of cryosurgical trea tment of liver metastases. Iceballs were produced by a 20-min single freeze cycle using 8-mm cryoprobes in pig liver in a waterbath at 37 degrees C (n = 8) and 3-mm cryoprobes in pig liver (n = 8). human liver(n = 3), and hum an colorectal cancer liver metastases (n = 8). The iceball diameters and th e temperatures at different distances from the cryoprobe were measured. Mea n iceball diameters produced by 8-mm cryoprobes in Dig liver were 56.3 mm a nd varied from 38.7 to 39.6 mm for 3-mm cryoprobes in the different tissues used. There was no significant difference in iceball size in the different tissues. The diameter of the zone of -40 degrees C or less was approximate ly 44 mm using 8-mm cryoprobes in porcine liver and between 27 and 31 mm us ing 3-mm cryoprobes in the different tissues examined. The results may allo w better preoperative planning of the cryosurgical treatment of liver metas tases with Accuprobe cryoprobes. (C) 2000 Academic Press.