Focused ultrasound for functional neurosurgery

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Medical Technology
• Neurology

Background:

• Brain lesioning is a historical functional neurosurgery technique.
• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and pharmacology largely replaced lesioning.
• Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) has renewed interest in brain lesioning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current and emerging applications of MRgFUS in functional neurosurgery.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of PubMed.
• Compilation of existing research.

Main Results:

• MRgFUS enables precise brain lesioning using focused ultrasound waves.
• Technological advancements include phased array transducers, skull penetration algorithms, and MR imaging.
• MRgFUS offers sub-millimeter precision for various clinical indications.

Conclusions:

• MRgFUS is a promising technology in functional neurosurgery.
• It is becoming a dominant tool for movement disorders, psychiatric disorders, and epilepsy.
• MRgFUS represents an evolution in minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures.