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MR-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound: Current Status of an Emerging Technology

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Abstract

The concept of ideal tumor surgery is to remove the neoplastic tissue without damaging adjacent normal structures. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) was developed in the 1940s as a viable thermal tissue ablation approach. In clinical practice, HIFU has been applied to treat a variety of solid benign and malignant lesions, including pancreas, liver, prostate, and breast carcinomas, soft tissue sarcomas, and uterine fibroids. More recently, magnetic resonance guidance has been applied for treatment monitoring during focused ultrasound procedures (magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound, MRgFUS). Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging provides the best possible tumor extension and dynamic control of energy deposition using real-time magnetic resonance imaging thermometry. We introduce the fundamental principles and clinical indications of the MRgFUS technique; we also report different treatment options and personal outcomes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiological Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, via Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy

    Alessandro Napoli, Michele Anzidei, Federica Ciolina, Eugenio Marotta, Beatrice Cavallo Marincola, Giulia Brachetti, Luisa Di Mare, Gaia Cartocci, Fabrizio Boni, Vincenzo Noce, Luca Bertaccini & Carlo Catalano

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  1. Alessandro Napoli
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  2. Michele Anzidei
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  3. Federica Ciolina
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  4. Eugenio Marotta
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Correspondence to Alessandro Napoli.

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Napoli, A., Anzidei, M., Ciolina, F. et al. MR-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound: Current Status of an Emerging Technology. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 36, 1190–1203 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-013-0592-4

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