Uterine fibroid treatment
The current options for treatment of uterine fibroids mainly involve surgery.
Uterine fibroid treatment
Today surgery doesn't necessarily require a full removal of the uterus, though, in extreme cases a hysterectomy is the only accessible option. Other types of directed or laparoscopic surgery may be able to remove the discomforting fibroids while saving the uterus. However, these procedures are still somewhat invasive and risk damaging the uterus to some extent where the patient could not support a viable pregnancy.
MR guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS) is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure which uses high doses of focused ultrasound waves (HIFU) to eliminate uterine fibroids, without affecting any of the other tissues round the fibroid. The procedure is conducted in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner which helps the physician "see" inside the body to pinpoint, guide, and continuously monitor the therapy.
Imagine using a magnifying glass to focus the sun's energy on a single point to create a flame to burn a leaf. The focused ultrasound energy is directed at a small volume of the fibroid, raising its temperature high enough to cause thermal ablation (killing from the cells) without impacting other tissues. Pulses of energy are repeated before entire volume is treated.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an advanced diagnostic technology which provides 3D imaging of internal organs without radiation. The MR guided FUS treatment uses the MR images to identify where the fibroid is and what portion continues to be treated, without the need for any incisions. It also provides real time feedback about temperature changes of the treated fibroid to make sure that the fibrotic tissue has been ablated (destroyed).
Before treatment you're given a sedative and pain medication to help you relax. You lie on the patient table and are made comfortable before starting treatment. The treatment takes place with you lying about the patient table within the MR scanner. Your clinical team come in the next room with two-way communication using a microphone and a speaker. The doctor will inform you when images are being acquired (scanning) and when the system is sonicating (treatment).
First, a doctor identifies the fibroid(s) on MR images taken of your pelvic region. Then, after detailed planning, high energy focused ultrasound waves heat a little spot in the uterine fibroid to a temperature of up to 85oC. During the pulse or sonication, which lasts about 15 seconds, the doctor monitors the progress and reviews temperature-sensitive images. Since each sonication treats an extremely small volume, this method will be repeated before required volume is treated. The process lasts about 2-3 hours based upon the size and quantity of fibroids treated.
During the uterine fibroids treatment, it is perfectly normal to feel a warming sensation in the pelvic region. You will be given a security stop button that permits you to immediately stop the sonication if the treatment becomes painful.
You're conscious the entire time and supply feedback during the procedure to the physician. Afterwards you'll be asked to rest for a couple of hours in the clinic, while the mild sedation wears off. Then you will be able to go home and resume normal activity.
Following the treatment the body gradually removes the treated tissue during a period of months, providing relief of symptoms.
If you require strategy to your fibroid related symptoms, but want to avoid surgery and preserve your uterus, talk to your doctor, who will ask you questions about your fibroid symptoms, overall health and medical history. Additionally, you will have routine blood work, an internal gynecological examination and MR imaging of your fibroids. Based on this information your physician will decide if you're a candidate for MRg FUS uterine fibroid treatment.
Uterine fibroid treatment
Today surgery doesn't necessarily require a full removal of the uterus, though, in extreme cases a hysterectomy is the only accessible option. Other types of directed or laparoscopic surgery may be able to remove the discomforting fibroids while saving the uterus. However, these procedures are still somewhat invasive and risk damaging the uterus to some extent where the patient could not support a viable pregnancy.
MR guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS) is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure which uses high doses of focused ultrasound waves (HIFU) to eliminate uterine fibroids, without affecting any of the other tissues round the fibroid. The procedure is conducted in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner which helps the physician "see" inside the body to pinpoint, guide, and continuously monitor the therapy.
Imagine using a magnifying glass to focus the sun's energy on a single point to create a flame to burn a leaf. The focused ultrasound energy is directed at a small volume of the fibroid, raising its temperature high enough to cause thermal ablation (killing from the cells) without impacting other tissues. Pulses of energy are repeated before entire volume is treated.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an advanced diagnostic technology which provides 3D imaging of internal organs without radiation. The MR guided FUS treatment uses the MR images to identify where the fibroid is and what portion continues to be treated, without the need for any incisions. It also provides real time feedback about temperature changes of the treated fibroid to make sure that the fibrotic tissue has been ablated (destroyed).
Before treatment you're given a sedative and pain medication to help you relax. You lie on the patient table and are made comfortable before starting treatment. The treatment takes place with you lying about the patient table within the MR scanner. Your clinical team come in the next room with two-way communication using a microphone and a speaker. The doctor will inform you when images are being acquired (scanning) and when the system is sonicating (treatment).
First, a doctor identifies the fibroid(s) on MR images taken of your pelvic region. Then, after detailed planning, high energy focused ultrasound waves heat a little spot in the uterine fibroid to a temperature of up to 85oC. During the pulse or sonication, which lasts about 15 seconds, the doctor monitors the progress and reviews temperature-sensitive images. Since each sonication treats an extremely small volume, this method will be repeated before required volume is treated. The process lasts about 2-3 hours based upon the size and quantity of fibroids treated.
During the uterine fibroids treatment, it is perfectly normal to feel a warming sensation in the pelvic region. You will be given a security stop button that permits you to immediately stop the sonication if the treatment becomes painful.
You're conscious the entire time and supply feedback during the procedure to the physician. Afterwards you'll be asked to rest for a couple of hours in the clinic, while the mild sedation wears off. Then you will be able to go home and resume normal activity.
Following the treatment the body gradually removes the treated tissue during a period of months, providing relief of symptoms.
If you require strategy to your fibroid related symptoms, but want to avoid surgery and preserve your uterus, talk to your doctor, who will ask you questions about your fibroid symptoms, overall health and medical history. Additionally, you will have routine blood work, an internal gynecological examination and MR imaging of your fibroids. Based on this information your physician will decide if you're a candidate for MRg FUS uterine fibroid treatment.