Abstract

For interstitial thermotherapy an examination of the development and progress of the extent of the coagulation zone during treatment is needed [2,3]. Up to now just the measurement of the interstitial temperature gives indirect references of the induction of coagulation resulting in necrosis [2,3]. Using NMR-methods the temperature as well as changes of the tissue could be represented, but these methods are very complex and not available routinely in clinical practice [1], By means of ultrasound methods calculations of the temperature could be performed, but the volume of coagulated tissue could be represented by these methods just 10 min post treatment [4]. The aim of this study was to develop a system with which a calculation of the coagulation volume could be performed during treatment and a switch-off criteria for the treatment could be determined.

© 1998 Optical Society of America