Background: HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) is an innovative and non-invasive therapeutic technique that uses focused ultrasound waves to thermally ablate a portion of tissue, which is destroyed using intense heat produced by sound waves.
HIFU is also termed focused ultrasound surgery (FUS). This technique treats neuropathic pain, uterine fibroids, prostate cancer, bone tumours, breast, liver, kidney, and testes. Also, research studies are being performed to temporarily open the Blood-brain barrier (BBB) to allow drug absorption into the blood.
The interventional radiologists may use diagnostic sonography with focused ultrasound (USgFUS or USgHIFU) or magnetic resonance guidance with focused ultrasound (MRgFUS).
Magnetic resonance guidance with focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is preferred the most as it monitors the degree of heating in real-time.
The transducer is similar to the diagnostic one in focused ultrasound (USgFUS), whereas in Magnetic resonance guidance (MRgFUS) transducer is fitted in the MRI table.
In High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) transducer, a cup-shaped transducer is fitted with an acoustic lens to obtain the converging beam of sound waves to focus on a targeted tissue. The temperature is raised to 70-80° Celsius and maximum to 150°Celsius.
Sample image showing focusing probe functioning:
HIFU is being considered the hybrid innovation in the radiology field, which serves as a harmless and incision-less therapeutic technique in treating neuropathic pain, uterine fibroids, and different types of cancer.
HIFU is a technique which is replacing surgical treatments. It has less risk and faster recovery time by giving precise treatment using non-ionizing radiation. It confirms the progress of the radiology department in the field of medical science.
The Faculty of Allied Health Science (FAHS) offers 9 UG and 9 PG courses and Ph.D. programmes in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Nutrition & Dietetics and Radio-Imaging Technology. This year we have introduced a new PG course – M.Sc. Biotechnology and Bioinformatics. The Faculty of Allied Health Sciences is committed to providing the highest quality education by strengthening classroom teaching by highly skilled and experienced faculty with hands-on training through clinical postings in our Hospital within the campus with 24×7 working labs equipped with all modern facilities.
References:
- https://www.cirse.org/patients/ir-procedures/high-intensity-focused-ultrasound-hifu/
- https://radiology.ucsf.edu/patient-care/services/high-intensity-focused-ultrasound-hifu
- https://stanfordhealthcare.org/stanford-health-care-now/2017/hifu-q-a.html
Written By: –
Mr. Navreet (Assistant Professor)
Department of Radio-Imaging Technology
Faculty of Allied Health Sciences
SGT University, Gurugram
