Fig. 8.

Overcoming the heat-sink effect in radiofrequency thermal ablation: a percutaneous approach. (a) Enhanced CT at the portal venous phase showing a breast metastasis whose posterior aspect has close contact with the right hepatic vein. (b) Selective occlusion of the right hepatic vein with a Fogarty balloon during the application of the thermal ablation. (c) Abdominal CT follow-up at three months showing an homogeneous thermal lesion without enhancement. The right hepatic vein remains patent. (d) Liver MRI follow-up at two years, showing the shrinkage of the thermal lesion, without enhancement.