This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kopelman, D. Articles by Papa, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kopelman, D. Articles by Papa, M.

Magnetic Resonance–Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery for the Noninvasive Curative Ablation of Tumors and Palliative Treatments: A Review

¹ Department of Surgery B, "HaEmek" Medical Center, Afula, Israel
² Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
³ Department of Surgery C, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
⁴ Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel

Correspondence: Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Doron Kopelman, MD; E-mail: kopelmand{at}bezeqint.net

This article reviews and discusses the up-to-date data on and feasibility of focused ultrasound surgery. This technique uses high-energy ultrasound beams that can be directed to penetrate through the skin and various soft tissues, focus on the target, and destroy tumors by increasing the temperature at the targeted tissue volume. The boundaries of the treatment area are sharply demarcated (focused) without causing damage to the surrounding organs. Although the idea of using sound waves to ablate tumors was first demonstrated in the 1940 s, only recent developments have enabled this technology to become more controlled and, hence, more feasible. The major breakthrough toward its clinical use came with coupling the thermal ablative process to advanced imaging. The development of magnetic resonance as the foundation to guide and evaluate the end results of focused ultrasound surgery treatment, the image guidance of the ultrasound beam, and the development of a reliable method for tissue temperature measurement and real-time feedback of the extent of tissue destruction have pushed this novel technology forward in oncological practice.

Key Words: Focused ultrasound • Focused ultrasound surgery • Magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound surgery • Thermal ablation

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. Medina-Franco, S. Soto-Germes, J. L. Ulloa-Gomez, C. Romero-Trejo, N. Uribe, C. A. Ramirez-Alvarado, and C. Robles-Vidal Radiofrequency Ablation of Invasive Breast Carcinomas: A Phase II Trial Ann. Surg. Oncol., June 1, 2008; 15(6): 1689 - 1695. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]