Probabilistic finite element analysis of radiofrequency liver ablation using the unscented transform

The main limitation of radiofrequency (RF) ablation numerical simulations reported in the literature is their failure to provide statistical results based on the statistical variability of tissue thermal-electrical parameters. This work developed an efficient probabilistic approach to hepatic RF abl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics in medicine & biology 2009-02, Vol.54 (3), p.627-640
Main Authors: dos Santos, Icaro, Haemmerich, Dieter, Schutt, David, da Rocha, Adson Ferreira, Menezes, Leonardo Rax
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Animals
Computer Simulation
Finite Element Analysis
Hepatectomy - methods
Humans
Liver - physiopathology
Liver - surgery
Models, Biological
Models, Statistical
Surgery, Computer-Assisted - methods
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Summary:The main limitation of radiofrequency (RF) ablation numerical simulations reported in the literature is their failure to provide statistical results based on the statistical variability of tissue thermal-electrical parameters. This work developed an efficient probabilistic approach to hepatic RF ablation in order to statistically evaluate the effect of four thermal-electrical properties of liver tissue on the uncertainty of the ablation zone dimensions: thermal conductivity, specific heat, blood perfusion and electrical conductivity. A deterministic thermal-electrical finite element model of a monopolar electrode inserted in the liver was coupled with the unscented transform method in order to obtain coagulation zone confidence intervals, probability and cumulative density functions. The coagulation zone volume, diameter and length were 10.96 cm(3), 2.17 cm and 4.08 cm, respectively (P < 0.01). Furthermore, a probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that perfusion and thermal conductivity account for >95% of the variability in coagulation zone volume, diameter and length.
ISSN:0031-9155
1361-6560
DOI:10.1088/0031-9155/54/3/010