in vivo Validation of T2-Based MR Thermometry in Adipose Tissue Layers for HIFU Near-Field Monitoring

Paul Baron¹, Mario Ries¹, Martijn de Greef¹, Roel Deckers¹, Max Khler², Jukka Tanttu², Chrit T.W. Moonen¹, Lambertus W. Bartels¹

The feasibility of using T2 mapping for monitoring the near field temperature in subcutaneous adipose tissue was investigated during a HIFU liver ablation in an in vivo porcine model. Calibrations showed that T2 changed linearly and reversible with temperature. When compared to the fiber optic probe the accuracy was better than 0.9C. During the in vivo porcine liver sonication and the subsequent cool-down period T2-thermometry allowed observing the temperature change due to near-field heating in the adipose tissue with a thermometric precision of 1.1C.