Real-time monitoring of laser diskectomies with a superconducting, open-configuration MR system.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of our study was to assess the ability of a 0.5-T superconducting, open-configuration MR system to guide laser diskectomies. The study was performed ex vivo on six human cadavers as well as in vivo on three patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The macroscopic size of necrosis correlated well with the monitored temperature spread (r2 = .76-.85). After MR-guided introduction of the laser fiber into the targeted disk space, temperature spread was visualized in all subjects.
Schoenenberger
A W
AW
Department of Medical Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
Steiner
P
P
Debatin
J F
JF
Zweifel
K
K
Erhart
P
P
von Schulthess
G K
GK
Hodler
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017586:Diskectomy; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative