Guglielmo Manenti MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Elsa Cossu, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tommaso Perretta, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Oreste Buonomo, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Francesca Bolacchi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Chiara Pistolese, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Salvatore Masala MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Elena Bonanno, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Giovanni Simonetti MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the uniformity and reproducibility of cryoablation and radiofrequency thermal lesion ablation on selected breast tumours ≤ 2 cm quantifying the volume of tissue destruction induced by performing contrast-enhanced 3T MRI of ablation necrosis before surgical breast resection

30 patients with biopsy proven non-palpable invasive breast carcinomas underwent sonographically guided cryo and/or radiofrequency ablation under local anesthesia. Surgical excision was performed one week later. All patients had 3T breast MRI scans before and after percutaneous ablation. Histopathological analysis of H&E and NADH-stained specimens was performed to verify the completeness of tumour necrosis and the marginal clearance. Skin or thoracic wall damage and patient reports of pain and procedural acceptability were also recorded.

A pre-RFTA MRI scan showed enhancing tumors in all the 30 patients. A post-RFA MRI scan revealed no residual lesion enhancement in 26 of 30 patients. Four patients had residual enhancement consistent with residual tumour that was confirmed histologically. Histopathological examination revealed in all the remaining ablated lesions the complete necrosis of the tumor tissue along the free margins of the ablated areas. The procedure was well tolerated from all patients, without skin or thoracic wall damages.

US-guided percutaneous ablation of small selected invasive breast carcinoma is feasible and reliable. Dynamic contrast-enhaced 3T MRI is an ideal method to qualify and quantify procedure effectiveness.

In selected cases treated by experienced personnel these minimally invasive techniques, supported by 3T DCE-MRI, would show optimal oncological and cosmetical results by using the devices we applied.

Manenti, G, Cossu, E, Perretta, T, Buonomo, O, Bolacchi, F, Pistolese, C, Masala, S, Bonanno, E, Simonetti, G, et al, , et al, , Cryoablation versus Radiofrequency Tumor Ablation of Small Breast Cancer: Monitoring of Effectiveness with 3-T MR Imaging.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5015338.html