PURPOSE

We aimed to explore the effect of microwave ablation (MWA) protocols upon morphology and instant changes in intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) parameters on MWA zones in porcine livers.

METHODS

According to the empirical protocol for MWA in tumors less than 3 cm in our hospital, the power and application duration were assigned as five groups: A, 60 W × 5 min (n = 6); B, 80 W × 3 min (n = 7); C, 80 W × 5 min (n = 10); D, 100 W × 3 min (n = 10); E, 100 W × 5 min (n = 9). Spearman correlation between MWA protocols, morphological metrics, and instant post-ablation IVIM parameters was performed.

RESULTS

There was fair positive correlation between energy delivery and short axis (RSpearman = 0.426, P= .005) of the white zone. There was moderate-to-good positive correlation between wattage and short axis (RSpearman = 0.584, P < .001) of the white zone. For post-ablation IVIM parameters in the white zone, only wattage had moderate-to-good positive correlation with D value (RSpearman= 0.574, P < .001) or ADC value (RSpearman = 0.550, P < .001). No correlation between energy delivery, wattage, duration, and f value was observed (RSpearman = 0.185, P = .24; RSpearman= − 0.001, P = .99; RSpearman = 0.203, P = .20, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The increase in the short axis of the white zone is more likely to be affected by wattage than energy delivery. The instant post-ablation IVIM is feasible in monitoring the MWA zones since the f value in the white zones is not sensitive to changes in MWA protocols, which is promising in evaluating the instant effect of MWA.