MR-guided microwave ablation of liver tumors: outcomes in local tumor control and determinants of treatment success

To evaluate outcomes in local tumor control after MR-guided microwave ablation (MWA) of liver lesions and identify determinants of treatment success.

Study Design: Included patients undergoing MR-guided MWA of histopathologically proven liver malignancies from 09/2021 to 02/2025, with treatment decisions made by a multidisciplinary tumor board.
Determinants of Treatment Success: Analyzed clinical and technical parameters influencing local tumor control, including lesion size, tumor type, ablation duration, and proximity to vascular structures.
Statistical Analysis: Used descriptive statistics and various tests (Wilcoxon rank sum, Pearson’s chi-squared, Fisher’s exact) for data analysis, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Technical success rate was 95.8%, with complete coverage in 46 out of 48 lesions.
Local recurrence was observed in 2.5% of patients during a mean follow-up of 21.0 months.
Factors such as lesion size, type, and proximity to vessels influenced treatment outcomes.

MR-guided MWA demonstrates high technical success rates and identifies specific factors influencing treatment outcomes.

MR-guided MWA achieves high rates of local control for liver malignancies, with identifiable factors affecting treatment success.