Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound, often shortened to MRgFUS, uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify tumors or fibroids in the body, and focused high-intensity ultrasound to destroy them. MRgFUS is a non-invasive surgery.

In MRgFUS therapy, ultrasound beams are focused on a tissue, and due to the significant energy deposition at the focus, temperature within the tissue rises to more than 65°C, completely destroying it. This technology can achieve precise "ablation" of diseased tissue, as the procedure is guided and controlled using MR thermal imaging. MR imaging provides a three-dimensional view of the target tissue, allowing for precise focusing of ultrasound energy. The MR imaging provides quantitative, real-time, thermal images of the treated area. This allows the physician to ensure that the temperature generated during each cycle of ultrasound energy is sufficient to cause thermal ablation within the desired tissue and if not, to adapt the parameters to ensure effective treatment.

Uses

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MRgFUS is currently used in the US, Israel, Europe and Asia to treat uterine fibroids. Current clinical trials are underway, examining the possible use of the technique in the treatment of cancers of the brain, breast, liver and bone.

See also

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• North Texas Uterine Fibroid Institute
• Magnetic resonance imaging
• Medical ultrasonography
• Uterine fibroids
• HIFU

External links

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• ExAblate® 2000, an example of MRgFUS
• Foundation for Focused Ultrasound

Anatomical pathology | Radiology | Nuclear magnetic resonance | Medical imaging | Ultrasound