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    Interventional procedure overview of image-guided percutaneous laser ablation of primary and secondary liver tumours

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    What the procedure involves

    Image-guided percutaneous laser ablation is usually done under sedation. Depending on the size of the tumour, 1 or more (usually up to 4) optical fibres are percutaneously inserted into the liver using a small introducer needle. The fibre distance and energy delivery per fibre are adjusted to shape the area to be ablated. The fibres deliver laser energy for several minutes to heat the tissue until it is destroyed with a sufficient safety margin. Image guidance is used to check the positioning of the fibres, monitor the treatment, and verify the effective ablation area. The aim is to destroy the tumour.