A clinical review of focused ultrasound ablation with magnetic resonance guidance: an option for treating uterine fibroids

Abstract

Uterine fibroids are common smooth muscle tumors, which can result in substantial symptoms affecting the quality of life of women. Whereas patients have several options available for treatment, focused ultrasound ablation is one of the least invasive treatment options outside medical therapy. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) ablation combines therapy delivered by an ultrasound transducer with imaging, guidance for therapy, and thermal feedback provided by magnetic resonance imaging. In 2004, the MRgFUS system ExAblate 2000 (InSightec, Haifa, Israel) was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for clinical treatments of uterine fibroids. Since its approval, our institution has performed more than 140 treatments. This paper provides an overview of our site's clinical experience with MRgFUS, including a brief description of the treatment system, pertinent features to review on screening magnetic resonance imaging, how the procedure is performed, and risks and benefits of the treatment. Some potential clinical applications of the technology are also briefly reviewed.