High-intensity focused ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology: the birth of a new era of noninvasive surgery?
Although ultrasound is an essential investigative modality in obstetrics and gynecology, the potential for therapeutic high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) (also referred to as focused ultrasound surgery, FUS) to offer an alternative to invasive surgery is less well known. The ability of HIFU to create discrete regions of tissue necrosis only in precisely targeted positions by careful placement of the focus, without the need for any surgical intervention, has made HIFU of interest to those seeking noninvasive alternatives to conventional abdominal surgery. This article reviews the current experimental and clinical experience with HIFU in obstetrics and gynecology, and outlines potential future applications in fetal medicine and the challenges faced in their development.
School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge.
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Griffiths
Physics, Institute of Cancer Research.
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terHaar
Physics, Institute of Cancer Research.
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Rivens
Department of Physiology Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge.
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Giussani
Rosie Maternity Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
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Lees
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D057086:High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012756:Sheep; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery