|
Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound Therapy uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)to locate the fibroids and then direct the high intensity ultrasound wave energy to heat the fibroids to destroy them.
| Summary: MR guided high-intensity Focused Ultrasound |
| Key features |
Risks |
- Outpatient non-invasive procedure.
- Duration of procedure: 3 - 4 hours.
- Hospital stay: NONE (outpatient).
- Recovery time: a few days.
- Only shrink the fibroids and NOT remove them.
- Suitable for small fibroids less than 7 cm.
- Suitable for women who do NOT wish to become pregnant in the future.
- Procedure can only be used for fibroids where the high intensity ultrasound energy does not pass through the bowel or bladder on its way to reach the fibroids.
- NOT yet available on NHS. Private treatment costs approx £4k - £5K.
- This procedure using instrument ExAblate® 2000 is approved by FDA in USA.
|
- Small risks of :
- skin burns,
- back or leg pain,
- nerve damage,
- abdominal cramping,
- nausea,
- fever,
- vaginal discharge,
- urinary tract infection.
- Treatment may not work and may require alternative treatment.
- New fibroids may start growing and causing symptoms and hence require treatment.
|
What happens BEFORE the procedure?
- You are required to fast the night before.
- Your abdomen's should be cleaned and shaved from the umbilicus (belly button) to 1 cm below the pubic bone.
What happens DURING the procedure?
- As a routine, on the day, assessment is performed and a pregnancy test is carried out.
- An IV line is placed for sedatives and urinary catheter is connected to keep it empty during the course of the treatment.
- You are given sedation and medication to help you to relax, usually titrated doses of fentanyl and midazolam along with heart rate and oxygen monitoring. You will be conscious throughout out the procedure.
- You lie on your stomach on a table inside an MRI scanner.
- MRI images are taken to plan your treatment.
- The radiologist applies pulses of high intensity focused (each pulse lasting 20 seconds) to your fibroid until considered sufficient.
The process takes approx 3 - 4 hours.
- MRI images are taken to assess the results and the necrotic fibroid tissue shows as non-enhancement on the image.
| Diagram Showing A Patient Receiving MR Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound |
 |
What happens AFTER the procedure?
- Rest for 1 - 2 hours.
- Before discharge, your skin is checked for possible changes caused by the heat of the waves.
- Hospital discharge: same day.
- You may experience the followings :
- abdominal pain: use OTC pain reliever,
- cramp,
- nausea,
- shoulder pain due to lying still for hours during the procedure which may last a few days.
To see real clips of the procedure, please
|
