What is often a necessary step before performing an ablation procedure?

Before performing an ablation procedure, diagnostic imaging is often a necessary step. This is because imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI help visualize the target tissue or area to be treated. These imaging modalities allow the physician to assess the size, location, and surrounding structures of the lesion or tissue that will undergo ablation. Proper identification and characterization of the abnormal tissue are critical for the success of the procedure, guiding the physician in planning the ablation approach, determining the appropriate energy source, and minimizing risks to healthy tissues.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different aspects of patient care either during or after the procedure rather than as a preparatory step. Immediate post-operative care focuses on the management of the patient after the procedure is completed. Physical rehabilitation may be relevant afterward but is not a prerequisite for the procedure itself. Psychological evaluations, while important in certain medical contexts, are not universally required for all patients undergoing ablation, making diagnostic imaging the essential preparatory step in this context.