Manual versus automatic image fusion of real-time ultrasonography and MR/CT images for radiofrequency ablation of hepatic tumors: A preliminary report of a randomized prospective…

Purpose: To compare the registration error, time required for image fusion and technical success rate of manual and automatic image fusion of ultrasonography (US) and MR/CT images for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatic tumors. Materials and methods: 26 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) or colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients are randomly assigned to a) manual image fusion group, or b) automatic image fusion group. Two interventional radiologists performed RFA for hepatic tumors with manual or automatic image fusion of real-time US an…