Most Americans have never heard of the MRIguided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS), however, is a technology that promises to revolutionize medical care worldwide. br were in the same spot as we were focused ultrasound with magnetic resonance diagnosis for decades, said Neal F. Kassell, MD, professor of neurosurgery at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and an internationally known advocate of research and development focused ultrasound. In the '80s, nobody knew of MRI. Today, almost everyone has or had one or know someone who has had an MRI. That's how common it is. Kassell br MRgFUS technological believes marriage magnetic resonance imaging and focused ultrasound therapeutic development may be more important from the scalpel. That notion will soon be explored by dozens of his colleagues from nine specialties that participate in a robust program of research and clinical trials of new UVA Focused Ultrasound Center, which was dedicated on September 14. br specialists conducting research in the center of the UVA represent a wide range of disciplines such as anesthesiology, biomedical engineering, gynecology, neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, radiology, surgery and radiation oncology urology. Over the next months, his research will focus on the use of MRgFUS for treating brain, breast, prostate, bone and liver tumors and diseases such as epilepsy, stroke, chronic pain, Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. br MRgFUS During treatments that are noninvasive and performed on an outpatient basis, patients are at a table while doctors use the visual capabilities of magnetic resonance imaging to direct hundreds of individual sound waves and usually harmless treatment with a single point inside the body. br When crossed, the ultrasound waves have enough energy to destroy tumor cells, like sun rays can be focused with a magnifying glass to burn a hole through a piece of paper, said Alan H. Matsumoto, MD The technology is so precise that it can treat the sites as small as one millimeter, which is approximately half a rice grain. br In addition to conducting investigations, Matsumoto, who is president of the UVA Department of Radiology and codirector of the new center will provide field of ultrasound treatment for patients with uterine fibroids. This is the first focused ultrasound treatment approved by the FDA, and will be an important addition to the range of treatments available for patients with uterine fibroids, says. br treatments will be available in late October, will take about three hours. Side effects, if any, are small cramps often less is more common and patients can expect to feel well enough to resume daily activities almost immediately. br Looking ahead, James M. Larner, MD, director of the UVA Center Focused Ultrasound and Chairman, Department of Radiation Oncology, according to a case by case approach will have to test the safety and efficacy of new technology to treat other conditions. I'm cautious by nature, he says, but we must admit I'm really excited about the possibilities of focused ultrasound and the benefits it can offer to our patients. br As a radiation oncologist, Larner is impressed by the ability of focused ultrasound to destroy 100 percent of the cancer cells. Chemotherapy kills a certain percentage of malignant cells, but not all, states. br Three other aspects of the plot MRgFUS Larner. First, its imaging capabilities allow physicians to see as heat destroys the cells of ultrasound. This can give us a new level of certainty about how well our treatments work, he says. br Finally, focused ultrasound has a quick drop off administration, ie, technology focused high levels of heat at a target site, but does not spread to nearby healthy tissue, which may cause damage or complications patients. UVA br new center, which is one of 90 sites focused ultrasound worldwide, is the first to use your computer MRgFUS exclusively for research and treatments. The facility is also the first to be designated as a center of excellence for Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation, a nonprofit organization created by Kassell to accelerate the development of new treatments. br Each day that this technology is that people is not widely available means to suffer and die needlessly, Kassell says. That's what makes it an urgent matter. br As noted Kassell, bricks and mortar are not as important as the brain in UVA new center. People smarter and more talented We are fortunate today to have some part in our disciplinary research program, explains. They have what it takes to lead the way in this emerging field of medicine. br br
