MR-guided percutaneous cryotherapy of liver metastases

The prognosis for patients with liver metastases depends on the therapeutic options regarding the treatment of the primary tumor, co-existing extrahep atic metastases and the extent and treatment possibilities of the hepatic m etastases themselves. Numerous curative or palliative oncological therapeut ic concepts have been introduced in case of non-resectable liver metastases to prolong survival while maintaining a highest possible quality of life. Cryotherapy, which can be performed percutaneously and under magnetic reson ance guidance, is one of these manifold therapeutic modalities, combining t he inherent advantages of MRI with minimal invasiveness. Excellent visualiz ation of the frozen liver tissue, precise tumor abtation, as well as an alm ost painless intervention due to the analgetic effect of the ice are implic ating percutaneous cryotherapy as an attractive alternative to other ablati on techniques. First clinical results are prom ising. However, meticulous a nd extensive long-term evaluation on a broad clinical scale is required.