Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging ablation of hepatic tumors

Image-guided hepatic ablation represents a useful technique in managing hepatic tumors. Intraoperative MRI represents a new technique with initial success that has been limited to European centers. Further evaluation in United States centers has demonstrated intraoperative MRI to be useful for certain hepatic tumors that cannot be adequately visualized by ultrasound or computed axial tomography. A multidisciplinary approach involving a surgical oncologist and interventional radiologist remains integral to the short- and long-term success of image-guided ablation.