American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 196, Issue 2 , Pages 184.e1-184.e6, February 2007

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery for uterine fibroids: relationship between the therapeutic effects and signal intensity of preexisting T2-weighted magnetic resonance images

  • Kaoru Funaki, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Gynecology, Shinsuma Hospital, Hyogo, Japan
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprints: Kaoru Funaki, MD, Department of Gynecology, Shinsuma Hospital, Isonare-cho, Suma-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 654-0047, Japan.
    • ,
  • Hidenobu Fukunishi, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Gynecology, Shinsuma Hospital, Hyogo, Japan
    • ,
  • Tsuyoshi Funaki, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Electrical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
    • ,
  • Katsuhiro Sawada, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery, Shinsuma Hospital, Hyogo, Japan
    • ,
  • Yasushi Kaji, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
    • ,
  • Takeshi Maruo, MD

      Affiliations

    • Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan

Received 8 February 2006; received in revised form 8 June 2006; accepted 1 August 2006.

Objective

This study was undertaken to clarify the relationship between the signal intensity of T2-weighted magnetic resonance images and the therapeutic effect of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) on uterine fibroids.

Study design

Ninety-five fibroids in 63 patients were classified into 3 types based on the signal intensity of T2-weighted magnetic resonance images as follows: type 1, low intensity; type 2, intermediate intensity; type 3, high intensity. The treated area ratio of MRgFUS and the volume reduction ratio 6 months after treatment were used as the indices of therapeutic effect.

Results

The treated area ratio of type 3 fibroids was the lowest among the 3 types (P < .01). The volume reduction ratio correlated with the treated area ratio (r = 0.64; P < .01).

Conclusion

The efficacy of MRgFUS correlates with the signal intensity of T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. Type 1 and type 2 fibroids are suitable candidates for MRgFUS, whereas type 3 fibroids are not.

Key words: focused ultrasound surgery, magnetic resonance imaging, signal intensity, uterine fibroid, volume reduction ratio

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 Cite this article as: Funaki K, Fukunishi H, Funaki T, et al. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery for uterine fibroids: Relationship between the therapeutic effects and signal intensity of preexisting T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2007;196;184.e1-184.e6.

PII: S0002-9378(06)01168-9

doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2006.08.030

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 196, Issue 2 , Pages 184.e1-184.e6, February 2007

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