Towards a workflow oriented software assistance for the radiofrequency ablation

Abstract

In recent years, radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors has become a serious alternative to surgical resection for unresectable colorectal metastases. The treatment success highly depends on an effective placement of the radiofrequency applicators into the tumor to get a sufficient coagulative necrosis. Therefore, several software tools have been developed for the support and planning of a good treatment strategy. The software solution proposed in this paper aims at the assistance of the radiologist at each stage of the ablation workflow, including the tasks of planning, intervention and treatment assessment.