From the Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation & Fibroid ReliefA new research center for MR-guided focused ultrasound ablation at the University of Virginia is aiming to become a leader in translational and clinical research for emerging interventional procedures.
A new research center for MR-guided focused ultrasound ablation at the University of Virginia is aiming to become a leader in translational and clinical research for emerging interventional procedures.
"The University is proud to be a partner in helping to turn a ‘big idea' into a world-class facility," said Dr. Tim Garson, provost at the University of Virginia, speaking before dedication ceremonies Sept 14. "This will become the leading center for translational research, education, and patient care in the new and rapidly evolving field of MR-guided focused ultrasound."
Focused ultrasound uses MRI guidance to direct multichannel ultrahigh frequency ultrasound to ablate tumors and treat other conditions as an alternative to open surgery or radiation therapy.
The UVA Center will initially offer uterine fibroid therapy, the first application of the focused ultrasound technology to receive FDA approval. In the future, it will also host clinical trials on uterine fibroids and fertility; Parkinson's disease and epilepsy; liver, brain, breast, and prostate tumors; and pain from bony metastasis.
Together, the state of Virginia and the Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation covered $7.1 million of the $8 million cost of establishing the institute. Other contributors included GE Healthcare, which manufactures ultrasound and MRI systems, and InSightec, an ultrasound equipment maker.
The center is designed to encourage collaboration between scientists and physicians in biomedical engineering, neurosurgery, surgery, radiology, cardiology, radiation oncology, neurology, urology, and gynecology. Potential applications include:
"The mission of the foundation is to develop new applications and to accelerate the worldwide adoption of focused ultrasound," said Dr. Neal Kassell, UVA professor of neurosurgery. "By creating a center of excellence we can make this happen sooner-and thereby reduce the death, disability, and suffering of untold numbers of patients."
Breast MRI Study Examines Common Factors with False Negatives and False Positives
July 24th 2024The absence of ipsilateral breast hypervascularity is three times more likely to be associated with false-negative findings on breast MRI and non-mass enhancement lesions have a 4.5-fold likelihood of being linked to false-positive results, according to new research.
Systematic Review: PET/MRI May be More Advantageous than PET/CT in Cancer Imaging
July 18th 2024While PET/MRI and PET/CT had comparable sensitivity for patient-level regional nodal metastases and lesion-level recurrence, the authors of a systematic review noted that PET/MRI had significantly higher accuracy in breast cancer and colorectal cancer staging.