Authors' objectives: Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a noninvasive treatment using ultrasound waves which are propagated and focused on a tissue producing a temperature increase of between 65 and 85 °C, which induces an irreversible coagulative necrosis of that tissue. This MRgFUS technology is currently being applied in the treatment of uterine fibroids or myomas.

Authors' recommendations: The literature search showed no comparative studies that assessed the efficacy of MRgFUS technology compared to other alternative therapies. The available evidence is based on case series studies that have mostly been carried out by a research group funded by the company that manufactures the ExAblate® 2000 system using this technology. Of the number of patients eligible, only 62-76% eventually received the treatment. The rest were discounted for various reasons once the review with magnetic resonance was made: due to the location of the fibroid, size, position or degenerative changes. Effectiveness: The results provided in the studies show that the technology is effective, although this effectiveness is magnified in the studies by having presented data on the treated patients available at follow-up, and not in relation to the total number of patients receiving treatment from the beginning. It cannot be assessed whether the effectiveness of MRgFUS is greater or lesser than, or equal to, the alternative therapies available. Safety: the studies presented no serious adverse effects. However, serious adverse effects have been reported in the literature but are not described in the studies, from which it has not been possible to assess their magnitude. This indicates a lack of information on the safety of the technology.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.aetsa.org/publicacion/ultrasonidos-focalizados-guiados-por-resonancia-magnetica-para-la-ablacion-de-miomas-uterinos/

Year Published: 2012

URL for published report: https://www.aetsa.org/download/publicaciones/antiguas/AETSA_2010_2-4_MRgFUS.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Spain

Organisation Name: Andalusian Health Technology Assessment Area

Contact Address: Area de Evaluacion de Tecnologias Sanitarias Sanitarias de Andalucia (AETSA) Avda. Innovación, s/n Edificio Arena 1. Sevilla (Spain) Tel. +34 955 006 309

Contact Name: aetsa.csalud@juntadeandalucia.es

Contact Email: aetsa.csalud@juntadeandalucia.es

Copyright: Andalusian Agency for Health Technology Assessment (AETSA)