Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) has been demonstrated as a viable option for effectively treating uterine fibroids.  This is an exciting new treatment for debilitating disease that affects 1 in 4 women of childbearing age and is a significant addition to uterine fibroid treatment armamentarium.

 

Compared to traditional hysterectomy, which is the primary treatment option for uterine fibroids, MRgFUS offers both clinical and economic advantages.  Upon receiving FDA approval in October 2004, the FDA took the unusual step of issuing a Talk Paper in which it stated that it expedited review of ExAblate because “it offers significant advantages over existing treatments for uterine fibroids”.

 

Because it is a non-invasive procedure, patients avoid the risks associated with surgery, require only limited conscious sedation, and can return to normal activities the next day compared to lengthy recovery times and hospitalization days for the more traditional hysterectomy surgery.  This translates into a significant economic impact for patients who undergo the MRgFUS procedure with documented fewer disability days (decreased days of missed work or days in bed) and lower use of medical resources:  83% fewer physician visits, 66% fewer additional diagnostic tests, and 66% fewer additional procedures.

 

To date over 3000 women have been treated, 900 in research protocols. Approximately 400 have had at least 2 years follow-up.

 

MRgFUS Procedure

 

MRgFUS utilizes high intensity focused ultrasound energy. Focused ultrasound generates heat ablating tissue only at the focal point. Surrounding healthy tissue is not impacted. The focused ultrasound energy is directed at a small volume of the fibroid, raising its temperature high enough to cause thermal ablation within a defined area.  During treatment, the beam of focused ultrasound energy penetrates through soft tissue to ablate the targeted tissue.  As the treatment is performed, the MR thermal imaging system continuously measures temperature changes inside the body.  As each succeeding treatment point is identified, the therapy system commands the imaging system to move the acoustic transducer and set the MR scanner to the right scanning coordinates.  Following the treatment, anatomical MRI contrast enhanced images are used to evaluate treatment outcome.

 

Because of the need for real time quantitative information during treatment, the imaging system (MRI) and therapy system (US) are completely integrated.  The time required for this procedure ranges from 120-300 minutes with the physician present throughout the procedure.

 

 

To learn more about this treatment option please click the following links:

 http://www.uterine-fibroids.org/

 http://mediaactive.info/insightec/

 

To learn more about the Duke Center for focused ultrasound treatment of uterine fibroids contact:

Duke Fibroid Center

919-572-4673 and press option #1

 fibroidcenter@mc.duke.edu