Effect of Microwave Coagulation Therapy on Liver: An Experimental Study

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) in normal swine liver. Methods Seven swine were undergone percutaneous microwave coagulation under ultrasound guidance. A total of 24 sites of puncture were obtained. The temperature was set at 65℃, whereas the energy was 40W and the time was 5 min. All animals were sacrificed one week later, and the size of coagulative necrosis was measured, then the specimens were studied histopathologically. The liver function was also examined before, immediately and one week after PMCT. Results The coagulative necrosis was whitish slight pink in color on gross appearance and elliptical in shape. The long diameter was (30.08±5.83)mm, with (14.75±3.66)mm of the short one. Histopathologically, swollen of the hepatocytes, degenerative changes and coagulative necrosis were observed in the liver specimens, meanwhile combined with inflammatory reactions and hyperplasia of the fibrotic tissue, as well as microabscess formation, hemarrhage and macrophage reaction. No definite change of the liver function was noted before and after PMCT procedure. Conclusion PMCT could effectively lead to coagulative necrosis of the liver tissue, and provide a new method for treating liver tumors.