title: In vivo feasibility of image-guided transvaginal focused ultrasound therapy for the treatment of intracavitary fibroids.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the feasibility of uterine tissue ablation in vivo using a transvaginal focused ultrasound applicator guided by ultrasound imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized in vivo animal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic research environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy anesthetized sheep.
  
  
  METHODS
  Uterine treatment location was determined using a computerized targeting system. Five sonications 10 seconds in duration and averaging 2,000 W/cm(2) of focal ultrasound intensity were applied in each animal's uterus. Animals were euthanized either immediately or 2, 7, or 30 days post-treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gross and microscopic analysis of the dissected uterus was used to quantitatively and qualitatively determine the ablated region and treatment side effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatments resulted in coagulative necrosis. Histopathological analysis showed that over 7 days, inflammatory cells appeared and smooth muscle bundles regenerated. By day 30, treated tissues healed and scar tissue formed. None of the animals showed abnormal behavior or medical problems. Complications in three animals were damage to the vaginal wall and colon, possibly due to inadequate applicator cooling and an empty bladder during treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transvaginal image-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound has potential for treating uterine fibroids. Further safety testing of this treatment will prepare it for human use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, and Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
authors.forename: Arthur H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Victor Y
authors.initials: VY
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: Donald E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Held
authors.forename: Marla
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paun
authors.forename: Shahram
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vaezy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D011859:Radiography; D012756:Sheep; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology