Thermal Effects of Irreversible Electroporation

Although irreversible electroporation (IRE) is thought to be a nonthermal technique for the ablation of soft tissue, objective temperature measurements and mathematical models have shown that temperature increase during treatment can be significant. The nonthermal mechanism is thought to be caused by a disturbance in the cell’s homeostasis through the formation of nanopores in the cell membrane, making it permeable for its contents. However, histologically, thermal damage is also observed. Therefore the mechanism of irreversible electroporation is presumed to be a combination of these effects. Thermal energy produced during treatment with IRE can both be a contributory factor to cell death and can potentially also be harmful in the presence of thermally vulnerable structures. Previous studies with purely thermal techniques in the pancreas and liver have shown potential severe morbidity such as bleedings and bile leakage.