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MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Patients with Medically-refractory Essential Tremor
Published on: December 13, 2017
MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery
1Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. jolesz@bwh.harvard.edu
Annual Review of Medicine
|July 28, 2009
Summary
MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) offers noninvasive thermal ablation for tumors. This precise method is being explored for various cancers and drug delivery, potentially transforming patient care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Oncology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a noninvasive thermal ablation technique.
- It utilizes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for precise targeting and real-time monitoring.
- This enables ablation of targeted tissue while sparing healthy structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight MRgFUS as an alternative to traditional cancer treatments.
- To discuss its current applications and ongoing clinical trials.
- To explore its potential beyond thermal ablation, including drug and gene therapy.
Main Methods:
- MRgFUS integrates focused ultrasound (FUS) and MRI for treatment delivery.
- Real-time monitoring allows for precise energy deposition and tissue ablation.
- Microbubbles can be used with FUS to alter membrane permeability.
Main Results:
- MRgFUS is approved for uterine fibroids and in trials for various cancers (breast, liver, prostate, brain).
- It shows promise for palliation of pain in bone metastasis.
- FUS can facilitate targeted drug and gene delivery by modifying cell permeability.
Conclusions:
- MRgFUS is a disruptive technology offering new therapeutic approaches.
- Its precision makes it an attractive alternative to surgery and radiation.
- MRgFUS has the potential to significantly impact patient management across medical disciplines.
