MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) system for thermal ablation of prostate cancer: pre-clinical evaluation in canines

Abstract

A transrectal MRgFUS system was tested in a canine prostate model. Focal volumes in each half of the prostate were targeted, with high energy in one half of the gland for ablation and in the other with lower-energy sonications to test our ability to localize the focal spot before causing thermal tissue damage. All sonications (n=155) were readily observed with proton resonance frequency (PRF) MR temperature imaging, contrast enhanced MRI and histology. The prostate gland moved during the experiments, demonstrating the need for motion tracking. The resultant focal temperature changes during the experiments were 24.2 ± 8.2°C.