Published in:
01-03-2016 | Technical Innovation
MR cone-beam CT fusion image overlay for fluoroscopically guided percutaneous biopsies in pediatric patients
Authors:
Avnesh S. Thakor, Premal A. Patel, Richard Gu, Vanessa Rea, Joao Amaral, Bairbre L. Connolly
Published in:
Pediatric Radiology
|
Issue 3/2016
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Abstract
Lesions only visible on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging cannot easily be targeted for image-guided biopsy using ultrasound or X-rays but instead require MR guidance with MR-compatible needles and long procedure times (acquisition of multiple MR sequences). We developed an alternative method for performing these difficult biopsies in a standard interventional suite, by fusing MR with cone-beam CT images. The MR cone-beam CT fusion image is then used as an overlay to guide a biopsy needle to the target area under live fluoroscopic guidance. Advantages of this technique include (i) the ability for it to be performed in a conventional interventional suite, (ii) three-dimensional planning of the needle trajectory using cross-sectional imaging, (iii) real-time fluoroscopic guidance for needle trajectory correction and (iv) targeting within heterogeneous lesions based on MR signal characteristics to maximize the potential biopsy yield.