Magnetic resonance imaging-guided volumetric ablation of symptomatic leiomyomata: Correlation of imaging with histology

Purpose: To describe the preliminary safety and accuracy of a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided high-intensity-focused ultrasound (HIFU) system employing new technical developments, including ablation control via volumetric thermal feedback, for the treatment of uterine leiomyomata with histopathologic correlation. Materials and Methods: In this phase I clinical trial, 11 women underwent MR-guided HIFU ablation (Sonalleve 1.5T; Philips Medical Systems, Vantaa, Finland), followed by hysterectomy within 30 days. Adverse events, imaging findings, and pathologic confirmation of ablation were assessed. The relationship between MR imaging findings, thermal dose estimates, and pathology and HIFU spatial accuracy were assessed using Bland-Altman analyses and intraclass correlations. Results: There were 12 leiomyomata treated. No serious adverse events were observed. Two subjects decided against having hysterectomy and withdrew from the study before surgery. Of 11 women, 9 underwent hysterectomy; all leiomyomata demonstrated treatment in the expected location. A mean ablation volume of 6.92 cm³ ± 10.7 was observed at histopathologic examination. No significant differences between MR imaging nonperfused volumes, thermal dose estimates, and histopathology ablation volumes were observed (P >.05). Mean misregistration values perpendicular to the ultrasound beam axis were 0.8 mm ± 1.2 in feet-head direction and 0.1 mm ± 1.0 in and left-right direction and -0.7 mm ± 3.1 along the axis. Conclusions: Safe, accurate ablation of uterine leiomyomata was achieved with an MR-guided HIFU system with novel treatment monitoring capabilities, including ablation control via volumetric thermal feedback.