Hyperacute thermal lesions: MR imaging evaluation of development in the brain.

PURPOSE: To determine the natural time course of development of hyperacute thermal lesions in the brain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten interstitial lesions were created in five rabbit brains with a radio-frequency probe; an electrode-tip temperature of 80 degrees C was maintained for 60 seconds. Continuous fast spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to follow lesion development for a minimum of 30 minutes. Temporal variations in lesion size and signal intensity were examined. Findings in final images were correlated with histologic findings. RESULTS: Images demonstrated a focal hyperintense zone, which developed into an expanding ring of edema surrounding a necrotic center in about 10 minutes. Quantitative analysis revealed a 23% +/- 6 (standard deviation) increase in average signal intensity of the edema layer and a 152% +/- 41 increase in overall lesion size. CONCLUSION: Full development of a thermal lesion is delayed for a period of minutes. Clinical implications of this effect should be considered when MR imaging-guided thermal ablation is performed.