MRI guided and monitored focused ultrasound thermal ablation methods: a review of progress

This paper reviews the current status in using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to guide and monitor thermal coagulation of tumours using focused ultrasound. The patient treatment procedure with a second generation phased array system will be described. Several clinical trials have found that patient treatments are feasible and that MRI thermometry allows noninvasive monitoring of clinical treatments. Overall, this emerging modality holds significant potential for non-invasive tumour treatment of both benign and malignant tumours.