• Journal of Korean Medical Science
• /
• 제33권44호
• /
• pp.279.1-279.16
• /
• 2018

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a new emerging neurosurgical procedure applied in a wide range of clinical fields. It can generate high-intensity energy at the focal zone in deep body areas without requiring incision of soft tissues. Although the effectiveness of the focused ultrasound technique had not been recognized because of the skull being a main barrier in the transmission of acoustic energy, the development of hemispheric distribution of ultrasound transducer phased arrays has solved this issue and enabled the performance of true transcranial procedures. Advanced imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance thermometry could enhance the safety of MRgFUS. The current clinical applications of MRgFUS in neurosurgery involve stereotactic ablative treatments for patients with essential tremor, Parkinson's disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder, or neuropathic pain. Other potential treatment candidates being examined in ongoing clinical trials include brain tumors, Alzheimer's disease, and epilepsy, based on MRgFUS abilities of thermal ablation and opening the blood-brain barrier. With the development of ultrasound technology to overcome the limitations, MRgFUS is gradually expanding the therapeutic field for intractable neurological disorders and serving as a trail for a promising future in noninvasive and safe neurosurgical care.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제62권1호
• /
• pp.10-26
• /
• 2019

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an emerging new technology with considerable potential to treat various neurological diseases. With refinement of ultrasound transducer technology and integration with magnetic resonance imaging guidance, transcranial sonication of precise cerebral targets has become a therapeutic option. Intensity is a key determinant of ultrasound effects. High-intensity focused ultrasound can produce targeted lesions via thermal ablation of tissue. MRgFUS-mediated stereotactic ablation is non-invasive, incision-free, and confers immediate therapeutic effects. Since the US Food and Drug Administration approval of MRgFUS in 2016 for unilateral thalamotomy in medication-refractory essential tremor, studies on novel indications such as Parkinson's disease, psychiatric disease, and brain tumors are underway. MRgFUS is also used in the context of blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening at low intensities, in combination with intravenously-administered microbubbles. Preclinical studies show that MRgFUS-mediated BBB opening safely enhances the delivery of targeted chemotherapeutic agents to the brain and improves tumor control as well as survival. In addition, BBB opening has been shown to activate the innate immune system in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid plaque clearance and promotion of neurogenesis in these studies suggest that MRgFUS-mediated BBB opening may be a new paradigm for neurodegenerative disease treatment in the future. Here, we review the current status of preclinical and clinical trials of MRgFUS-mediated thermal ablation and BBB opening, described their mechanisms of action, and discuss future prospects.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제66권2호
• /
• pp.172-182
• /
• 2023

Objective : The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is an obstacle for molecules to pass through from blood to the brain. Focused ultrasound is a new method which temporarily opens the BBB, which makes pharmaceutical delivery or removal of neurodegenerative proteins possible. This study was demonstrated to review our BBB opening procedure with magnetic resonance guided images and find specific patterns in the BBB opening. Methods : In this study, we reviewed the procedures and results of two clinical studies on BBB opening using focused ultrasound regarding its safety and clinical efficacy. Magnetic resonance images were also reviewed to discover any specific findings. Results : Two clinical trials showed clinical benefits. All clinical trials demonstrated safe BBB opening, with no specific side effects. Magnetic resonance imaging showed temporary T1 contrast enhancement in the sonication area, verifying the BBB opening. Several low-signal intensity spots were observed in the T2 susceptibility-weighted angiography images, which were also reversible and temporary. Although these spots can be considered as microbleeding, evidence suggests these are not ordinary microbleeding but an indicator for adequate BBB opening. Conclusion : Magnetic resonance images proved safe and efficient BBB opening in humans, using focused ultrasound.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제61권4호
• /
• pp.427-433
• /
• 2018

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a debilitating condition characterized by recurrent obsessive thoughts and compulsive reactions. A great portion of the obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) patients are managed successfully with psychiatric treatment such as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, but more than 10% of patients are remained as non-responder who needs neurosurgical treatments. These patients are potential candidates for the neurosurgical management. There had been various kind of operation, lesioning such as leucotomy or cingulotomy or capsulotomy or limbic leucotomy, and with advent of stereotaxic approach and technical advances, deep brain stimulation was more chosen by neurosurgeon due to its characteristic of reversibility and adjustability. Gamma knife radiosurgery are also applied to make lesion targeting based on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, but the complication of adverse radiation effect is not predictable. In the neurosurgical field, MR guided focused ultrasound has advantage of less invasiveness, real-time monitored procedure which is now growing to attempt to apply for various brain disorder. In this review, the neurosurgical treatment modalities for the treatment of OCD will be briefly reviewed and the current state of MR guided focused ultrasound for OCD will be suggested.

• 한국음향학회지
• /
• 제39권1호
• /
• pp.16-23
• /
• 2020

고강도 집중 초음파(High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, HIFU) 치료에서 HIFU 초점의 효과적인 위치 파악은 안전한 치료 계획을 개발하는 데 중요하다. 자기 공명 영상 유도 HIFU(Magnetic Resonance Imaging guided HIFU, MRIgHIFU)는 HIFU 초점을 영상화하여 치료 중에 초음파 경로를 시각화 할 수 있지만 초음파 이미징 유도 HIFU(Ultrasound imaging guided HIFU, USIgHIFU)에서는 어려움이 있다. 본 연구에서는 USIgHIFU에 대해 HIFU 초점을 영상화할 수 있는 실시간 초음파 빔 시각화 기법을 제시 하였다. 제안 된 방법에서, 음향 강도(Ispta < 720 mW/㎠) 아래의 이미징 초음파 변환자의 동일한 중심 주파수를 갖는 짧은 펄스가 HIFU 변환기를 통해 전송되고, HIFU 빔 경로를 시각화하기 위해 수신 신호는 동적 수신 포커싱 및 후속 에코 처리를 거쳤다. 소 혈청 알부민 젤 팬텀을 이용한 생체외 실험으로부터, HIFU 빔 경로는 낮은 음향 강도 (Ispta = 94.8 mW/㎠)에서도 명확히 영상화 할 수 있었고 HIFU 초점은 손상이 생성되기 전에 성공적으로 시각화하였다. 이 결과는 제안 된 초음파 빔 경로 시각화 방법이 USIgHIFU 치료에서 원치 않는 조직 손상을 최소화하면서 실시간으로 HIFU 초점을 영상화하는 데 사용될 수 있음을 나타낸다.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
• /
• 제31권3호
• /
• pp.35-53
• /
• 2020

The authors congratulate the cerebrations for the 30 years of the Korean Society of Medical Physics (http://www.ksmp.or.kr/). The paper is published to recognize the anniversary. Geon-Ho Jahng invited Professor Z. H. Cho to join to submit this manuscript because he has been one of the leaders in the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during the last 40 years. In this review, we describe the development and clinical histories of MRI internationally and domestically. We also discuss diffusion and perfusion MRI, molecular imaging using MRI and MR spectroscopy (MRS), and the hybrid systems, such as positron emission tomography-MRI (PET-MRI), MR-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS), and MRI-guided linear accelerators (MRI-LINACs). In each part, we discuss the historical evolution of the developments, technical developments, and clinical applications.

• 대한자기공명의과학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 대한자기공명의과학회.한국자기공명학회 2005년도 공동학술대회
• /
• pp.77-78
• /
• 2005

A specific FUS-MRI platform was designed for breast cancer treatment. phased array technologies, sideways FUS transmission, and spatio-temporal temperature control in the complete region of interest, were combined for a novel therapy approach with enhanced safety and afficacy. A phase I clinical trial will start soon.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• 제18권3호
• /
• pp.172-193
• /
• 2015

Nowadays shoulder ultrasound is commonly used in the assessment of shoulder diseases and is as accurate as magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of several pathologies. Operator dependence is the main disadvantage of shoulder ultrasound. After adhering to a strict examination protocol, good knowledge of normal anatomy and pathologic processes and an awareness of common pitfalls, it can be used as a focused examination providing rapid, real-time diagnosis, and treatment by ultrasound-guided interventions in desired clinical situations. Also shoulder ultrasound can help the surgeon decide whether treatment will be surgical or nonsurgical. If arthroscopy is planned, sonographic findings help to counsel patients regarding surgical and functional outcomes. If a nonsurgical approach is indicated, ultrasound can be used to follow patients. This review article presents the examination techniques, the normal sonographic appearances and the main pathologic conditions found in shoulder ultrasound. And also addresses a simplified approach to scanning and ultrasound-guided intervention. Knowledge of optimal techniques, normal anatomy, dynamic maneuvers, and pathologic conditions is essential for optimal performance and interpretation of images.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제62권6호
• /
• pp.712-722
• /
• 2019

Objective : Although magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) has been used as minimally invasive and effective neurosurgical treatment, it exhibits some limitations, mainly related to acoustic properties of the skull barrier. This study was undertaken to identify skull characteristics that contribute to optimal ultrasonic energy transmission for MRgFUS procedures. Methods : For ex vivo skull experiments, various acoustic fields were measured under different conditions, using five non-embalmed cadaver skulls. For clinical skull analyses, brain computed tomography data of 46 patients who underwent MRgFUS ablations (18 unilateral thalamotomy, nine unilateral pallidotomy, and 19 bilateral capsulotomy) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients' skull factors and sonication parameters were comparatively analyzed with respect to the cadaveric skulls. Results : Skull experiments identified three important factors related skull penetration of ultrasound, including skull density ratio (SDR), skull volume, and incidence angle of the acoustic rays against the skull surface. In clinical results, SDR and skull volume correlated with maximal temperature (Tmax) and energy requirement to achieve Tmax (p<0.05). In addition, considering the incidence angle determined by brain target location, less energy was required to reach Tmax in the central, rather than lateral targets particularly when compared between thalamotomy and capsulotomy (p<0.05). Conclusion : This study reconfirmed previously identified skull factors, including SDR and skull volume, for successful MRgFUS; it identified an additional factor, incidence angle of acoustic rays against the skull surface. To guarantee successful transcranial MRgFUS treatment without suffering these various skull issues, further technical improvements are required.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• 제17권3호
• /
• pp.192-199
• /
• 2013

목적: 국소적 전립선암의 고강도 집속 초음파 치료 후 국소적 암 재발을 발견하는데 있어 역동적 조영증강 자기공명영상의 진단적 능력을 T2 강조영상과 후향적으로 비교하고자 한다. 대상과 방법: 고강도 집속 초음파 치료을 시행 받은 이후 혈중 전립선 특이 항원 수치가 증가한 26명의 환자를 연구에 포함시켰다. 모든 환자는 T2 강조영상과 역동적 조영증강 자기공명영상을 시행 받은 후 경직장 초음파 유도하 조직 검사를 받았으며, 영상 소견과 조직 검사 결과는 전립선을 여섯 구획으로 분리 하여 비교하였다. 조직 검사 결과에서 암 병변이 있는 경우 국소적 암 재발로 정의하였으며, 영상 소견은 두 명의 독립적인 영상의학과 의사가 분석하였다. 결과: 156개의 전립선 구획에서 17명의 환자, 51 구획 (33%)에서 재발암 병변이 발견되었다. 국소적 암 재발의 발견에 있어 역동적 조영증강영상과 T2 강조영상의 민감도는 관찰자 1 에서 각각 80%와 57% (P < 0.001), 관찰자 2 에서 각각 84%와 61% (P < 0.001) 였다. 두 영상 방법간 특이도와 정확도는 두 관찰자에서 모두 유의한 차이가 없었다 (P > 0.05). 관찰자간 일치도에 있어 역동적 조영 증강 영상의 카파값은 0.52, T2 강조 영상의 카파값은 0.21 이었다. 결론: 국소적 전립선암의 고강도 집속 초음파 치료 후 국소적 암 재발을 발견하는데 있어 역동적 조영증강영상은 T2 강조영상보다 더욱 민감하며 관찰자간 일치도 역시 높다.