Published in:
01-02-2013 | Review Article/State of the Art
MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound for the Treatment of Uterine Fibroids
Authors:
Gina K. Hesley, Krzysztof R. Gorny, David A. Woodrum
Published in:
CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology
|
Issue 1/2013
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Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging–guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) ablation of uterine fibroids provides a minimally invasive outpatient technique for targeting and treating symptomatic uterine fibroids. Magnetic resonance imaging provides a guidance platform that has high temporal and spatial resolution for guiding, as well as thermal monitoring of the procedure. The high-intensity focused ultrasound provides a mechanism for delivering large amounts of energy directly into the fibroid without causing detrimental effects to the nontarget tissues. Early and intermediate follow-up of patients treated with MRgFUS provided promising results on the efficacy of the technique for providing symptom relief to patients. As more long-term follow-up data are published, the efficacy of this technique can be compared to more invasive surgical and minimally invasive catheter treatments.