What is MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (FUS) for leiomyoma (fibroids) of the uterus?
MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (FUS) is a non-invasive thermal ablation, and is another method of myolysis. As with any medical procedure, the procedure is not without risks. The EXTREMELY expensive equipment to perform the surgery may cause the procedure not to be widely available. The FDA approval process for FUS is projected sometime in 2004. The first study was performed on women who were pre-menopausal or who had completed their families. The long-term results or effects of FUS are still not known. At this time, it appears the procedure is practical for women who only have a few fibroids (1-5 fibroids). Women who have multiple (10- 20 fibroids) fibroids may not be good candidates for the procedure due to the time to treat the fibroids would be prohibitive. As the procedure develops, it may be a useful treatment to alleviate symptoms caused by specific fibroids (rather than a global treatment for all fibroids present). Before the surgery, the woman will receive a light sedat
