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Procedure
Information:
SonoWave, MR guided Focused Ultrasound Therapy
What is
MR guided Focused Ultrasound Therapy?
Imagine your doctor being able to see
inside your body, isolate your fibroid and treat it without
any incisions. Now, with its state-of-the-art technology,
SonoWave can do it all!
SonoWave uses a combination of high intensity ultrasound waves combined with
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to provide a revolutionary treatment alternative
for fibroids. The focused ultrasound energy heats an area of the fibroid, causing
destruction of the targeted cells without impacting other tissue. Pulses of energy
are repeated until the entire volume is treated. The procedure is similar to
using a magnifying glass to focus the suns energy on a single point to create
a flame.
During the procedure, MR images enable the physician to "see" the fibroid and
surrounding organs three-dimensionally. The physician has constant real-time
feedback on temperature changes in the treated area and is able to observe the
successful outcome in a completely non-invasive manner.
What happens during the procedure?
During the 3-4 hour procedure, you lie on your stomach on a table inside a MRI
scanner. Sedation and pain medication are given to help you relax. You are conscious
throughout the procedure while the doctor communicates with you. The doctor obtains
MR images of your uterus and uses these to plan your treatment.
Next, individual pulses of focused ultrasound energy called "sonications" are
applied to the fibroid with the doctor monitoring the process. Each sonication
lasts about 20 seconds. Since each sonication treats a very small volume, the
process will be repeated until the required volume is treated, typically about
50 times. MR images are continually taken to evaluate treatment effectiveness.
After the treatment, the body naturally and gradually removes the treated tissue
over a period of months, providing symptom relief.
What will I experience during the SonoWave treatment?
Before the treatment begins, you will be given pain medication and a sedative
to help you relax. The treatment takes place inside the MR scanner. You will
be conscious during the treatment and able to communicate any discomfort to the
doctor. The doctor will let you know when MR images are being taken and when
each sonication is performed.
You may feel a warm sensation in your pelvic region during the treatment. If
the treatment becomes painful, you can stop the sonication by pressing a safety
button.
Immediately following the procedure, you will rest for 1-2 hours while the sedation
wears off. After the rest period, you are released and may resume normal activities
in 1-2 days.
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