The term MRgFUS is an abbreviation for a modern therapeutic procedure. It can be used to treat uterine fibroids, bone tumors and prostate cancer, for example. Ultrasound waves are used to destroy the tumors by applying heat. The treatment takes place under MRI control and guidance.
Here you will find further information and selected MRgFUS specialists and centers.
The term MRgFUS is an abbreviation for a modern non-invasive therapeutic procedure. It stands for magnetic resonance imaging-guided highly focused ultrasound wave therapy.
In MRgFUS, bundled ultrasound waves are sent to the therapy area with pinpoint accuracy. They destroy the diseased tissue by generating localized heat of up to 80 degrees Celsius. This destruction using heat is medically known as thermal ablation.
The treatment is carried out under constant control and monitoring using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). This ensures that only diseased tissue is heated. The surrounding healthy tissue, e.g.
are spared.
In certain situations, MRgFUS can replace surgery or other forms of therapy.
The advantages of MRgFUS treatment over other therapies are
MRgFUS is a safe and gentle, low-pain, non-invasive procedure. No surgery and therefore no skin incisions are required. It is therefore also suitable for patients who
Most treatments are performed under analgosedation. This means that potential pain is well controlled by painkillers during the treatment. If pain does occur, the patient can give feedback and interrupt the heat ablation.
This makes the treatment very safe.
General anesthesia is necessary for patients with prostate cancer or a bone tumor. This ensures that the doctor can work precisely.
Diseases that can be treated with MRgFUS include
The aim of MRgFUS treatment is the complete destruction of a tumor. If this is not possible, an attempt is made to alleviate severely impairing symptoms such as
Parkinson's disease. In doing so, healthy, functionally important tissue is spared.
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus. They occur frequently and cause symptoms such as
The aim of treating uterine fibroids is to thermally destroy at least 80% of the fibroid tissue. This causes the fibroids to shrink and the symptoms caused by the fibroids recede or disappear.
The uterus and fertility are preserved during MRgFUS. The procedure is therefore an alternative operation for women of childbearing age. Surgery cannot always guarantee the preservation of fertility. In severe cases, the uterus(hysterectomy) would otherwise have to be removed as part of surgical treatment. This is not necessary with MRgFUS.
In cases of involuntary childlessness, MRgFUS aims to destroy uterine fibroids. This can make pregnancy possible.
An MRI examination of the pelvis with contrast medium will clarify whether MRgFUS can effectively remove the uterine fibroids. In the case of multiple or relatively large fibroids, one treatment is often not sufficient. It may then have to be repeated at intervals of several weeks.
The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) is currently evaluating the MRgFUS treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. This is based on excellent study results and many years of clinical experience.
The G-BA has commissioned a multicenter trial study for this purpose. This so-called MARGI-T study deals with the use of MRgFUS in uterine fibroids. It is open and currently includes patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids.
Myomas are benign tumors of the uterus © Loh | AdobeStock
Adenomyosis of the uterus is a special form of endometriosis. In this case, cells of the uterine lining grow into the muscles of the uterine wall.
MRgFUS destroys the adenomyosis tissue. This can alleviate symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pain and cramps.
MRI © IEDNlab | AdobeStock
MRgFUS is used in the precise treatment of prostate cancer . It is particularly suitable for early-stage tumors. The tumor must not yet have metastasized. Its growth must be limited to the prostate (Gleason 6 and 7).
MRgFUS destroys the cancerous tissue at a safe distance from the healthy tissue. The surrounding tissue is spared and the prostate remains intact.
As a result, erectile dysfunction or urinary incontinence, for example, are not to be expected after treatment.
An osteoid osteoma is a benign but painful bone tumor.
MRgFUS can destroy the bone nucleus (nidus). If the bone nucleus is completely destroyed, the patient is cured.
Malignant bone metastases can be very painful. The aim of MRGFUS therapy here is to destroy the cancerous tissue and the pain-conducting nerves on the bone.
This can significantly reduce the bone pain or, ideally, eliminate it completely.
A desmoid tumor is a local, aggressively growing, benign soft tissue tumor. MRgFUS can significantly reduce the tumor volume and thus control its growth.
The symptoms are alleviated or completely eliminated.
Facet joint arthrosis can cause severe and persistent back pain. Conservative methods are initially used for treatment. These include physiotherapy or painkillers.
If these do not lead to success, an MRgFUS can destroy the pain-conducting nerves. This interrupts the pain transmission to the pain center and the back pain is reduced.
MRgFUS is used to treat essential tremor or tremor in Parkinson's patients.
The core areas in the brain that trigger tremors are located deep in the brain tissue. With MRgFUS, these core areas can be heated non-invasively while sparing the healthy adjacent brain tissue. The tremor then recedes.
MRgFUS treatments are self-payer services. This means that statutory health insurance companies do not cover the costs. Private health insurance companies often cover the costs on application.
Before the treatment, the MRgFUS therapist uses MRI to examine the anatomical conditions in the treatment region. The planning MRI is necessary to determine the prerequisites and contraindications, e.g. for patients with
for a possible treatment.
An ultrasound unit integrated into the MRI table generates highly focused ultrasound waves. They are sent into the patient's body in the same way as during a conventional ultrasound examination. By bundling the ultrasound waves, heat of up to 80° Celsius is generated in a clearly defined volume (focus). With the help of MRI, the heat is only generated in the target tissue.
Using the uterine fibroid as an example, the focus is positioned in the fibroid. The focus then scans the entire fibroid step by step.
The MRI monitors the positioning of the focus and measures the temperature development within the target structure and the neighboring organs. This ensures precise destruction of the target area while at the same time protecting the surrounding organs.
The treatment does not require a scalpel or needle, i.e. there are no external traces of treatment.
The body naturally breaks down and reabsorbs the cells killed by MRgFUS. In the case of pain therapy, the pain-conducting nerves are heated. This prevents the transmission of pain impulses to the brain.
Most MRgFUS treatments are carried out under analgosedation and are well tolerated by patients. However, MRgFUS treatments for prostate cancer or bone tumors are performed under general anesthesia. The treatment usually takes several hours.
MRgFUS treatment is usually performed on an outpatient basis. Patients are therefore monitored for a short time after the treatment and are then allowed to leave the treatment center.
Patients are not allowed to drive a car on the day of treatment. Patients should ensure that they have someone to accompany them afterwards.
Most patients can return to their usual activities on the following day. Depending on the condition and the initial situation, symptoms may improve shortly after treatment or over the course of a few days.
After treatment, patients continue to have a contact person at the therapy center. He or she is available to answer any questions.
In most cases, an MRI check-up is recommended after 6 months. This allows the doctors to document the morphological response of the treated tumor to the treatment. The progression of clinical symptoms is also documented.
Doctors can then decide whether the treatment has been completed. In rare cases, follow-up treatment is necessary.
If your disease is suitable for MRgFUS therapy, there is a good chance of symptom relief or even a cure.
In some cases, the symptoms return, a tumor reappears or develops again. MRI must then be used to check whether and how further treatment with MRgFUS can be carried out.
MRgFUS treatments can occasionally lead to side effects and complications. these include, for example, during or after treatment
Some patients are allergic to contrast agents and sedatives.
The side effects are more specific depending on the area of the body or disease being treated, such as
Serious complications would be
However, these occur extremely rarely. They may have to be treated surgically. The other side effects/complications mentioned will resolve themselves without permanent damage.
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