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MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound for the Treatment of Uterine Fibroids

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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.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Gina K. Hesley, Krzysztof R. Gorny & David A. Woodrum

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  1. Gina K. Hesley
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  2. Krzysztof R. Gorny
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  3. David A. Woodrum
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Correspondence to David A. Woodrum.

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Hesley, G.K., Gorny, K.R. & Woodrum, D.A. MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound for the Treatment of Uterine Fibroids. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 36, 5–13 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-012-0367-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-012-0367-3

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