Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of histotripsy subcutaneous (SQ) fat treatment in an in-vivo porcine model, and evaluate evolution of the treated volume on MRI and pathology.
Methods/materials: 10 histotripsy SQ fat treatments were completed in 5 swine, divided into four groups based on pre-determined survival: day 0 (n = 4), day 7 (n = 2), day 28 (n = 2), and day 56 (n = 2). A 4.0 × 4.0x2.0 cm ovoid treatment was created in the fat pad of the posterior thorax. MRI of survived animals were obtained on day 7 (n = 6), day 28 (n = 4), and day 56 (n = 2), and reviewed for size and imaging characteristics. Technical success was defined as the creation of a treatment zone in the targeted SQ fat. Skin firmness and indentation were qualitatively scored.
Results: Histotripsy had a 100% (10/10) technical success for creation of SQ fat treatments. Mean treatment time was 35.5 min (range 35-36.5). The volume of treated SQ fat demonstrated 92% volume reduction over the study. Day 0 gross pathology treatment had a mean volume of 12.6 cm3 (± 2.1) (prescribed volume of 16.7 cm3), which decreased to 8.3 cm3 (± 2.8) by day 7 (34% overall decrease), 3.0 cm3 (± 0.5) by day 28 (76% overall decrease), and 1.0 cm3 (± 1.2) by day 56 (92% overall decrease). Mean firmness and indentation scores showed no change from baseline at all time points, with no overlying skin injury.
Conclusion: Histotripsy safely and effectively treated SQ fat of an in-vivo porcine model, with volume reduction over time.
Keywords: Ablation; Fat treatment; Histotripsy.
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