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Walker MR, Zhong J, Waspe AC, Piorkowska K, Nguyen LN, Anastakis DJ, Drake JM, Hodaie M. Peripheral Nerve Focused Ultrasound Lesioning-Visualization and Assessment Using Diffusion Weighted Imaging. Front Neurol 2021; 12:673060. [PMID: 34305786 PMCID: PMC8299784 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.673060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a non-invasive targeted tissue ablation technique that can be applied to the nervous system. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) can visualize and evaluate nervous system microstructure. Tractography algorithms can reconstruct fiber bundles which can be used for treatment navigation and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics permit the quantitative assessment of nerve microstructure in vivo. There is a need for imaging tools to aid in the visualization and quantitative assessment of treatment-related nerve changes in MRgFUS. We present a method of peripheral nerve tract reconstruction and use DTI metrics to evaluate the MRgFUS treatment effect. Materials and Methods: MRgFUS was applied bilaterally to the sciatic nerves in 6 piglets (12 nerves total). T1-weighted and diffusion images were acquired before and after treatment. Tensor-based and constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD) tractography algorithms were used to reconstruct the nerves. DTI metrics of fractional anisotropy (FA), and mean (MD), axial (AD), and radial diffusivities (RD) were measured to assess acute (<1-2 h) treatment effects. Temperature was measured in vivo via MR thermometry. Histological data was collected for lesion assessment. Results: The sciatic nerves were successfully reconstructed in all subjects. Tract disruption was observed after treatment using both CSD and tensor models. DTI metrics in the targeted nerve segments showed significantly decreased FA and increased MD, AD, and RD. Transducer output power was positively correlated with lesion volume and temperature and negatively correlated with MD, AD, and RD. No correlations were observed between FA and other measured parameters. Conclusions: DWI and tractography are effective tools for visualizing peripheral nerve segments for targeting in non-invasive surgical methods and for assessing the microstructural changes that occur following MRgFUS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Walker
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Brain, Imaging & Behaviour, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jidan Zhong
- Division of Brain, Imaging & Behaviour, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Adam C Waspe
- Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Karolina Piorkowska
- Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lananh N Nguyen
- Laboratory Medicine Program, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dimitri J Anastakis
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Brain, Imaging & Behaviour, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James M Drake
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mojgan Hodaie
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Brain, Imaging & Behaviour, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Neurosurgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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2
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di Biase L, Falato E, Caminiti ML, Pecoraro PM, Narducci F, Di Lazzaro V. Focused Ultrasound (FUS) for Chronic Pain Management: Approved and Potential Applications. Neurol Res Int 2021; 2021:8438498. [PMID: 34258062 PMCID: PMC8261174 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8438498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is one of the leading causes of disability and disease burden worldwide, accounting for a prevalence between 6.9% and 10% in the general population. Pharmacotherapy alone results ineffective in about 70-60% of patients in terms of a satisfactory degree of pain relief. Focused ultrasound is a promising tool for chronic pain management, being approved for thalamotomy in chronic neuropathic pain and for bone metastases-related pain treatment. FUS is a noninvasive technique for neuromodulation and for tissue ablation that can be applied to several tissues. Transcranial FUS (tFUS) can lead to opposite biological effects, depending on stimulation parameters: from reversible neural activity facilitation or suppression (low-intensity, low-frequency ultrasound, LILFUS) to irreversible tissue ablation (high-intensity focused ultrasounds, HIFU). HIFU is approved for thalamotomy in neuropathic pain at the central nervous system level and for the treatment of facet joint osteoarthritis at the peripheral level. Potential applications include HIFU at the spinal cord level for selected cases of refractory chronic neuropathic pain, knee osteoarthritis, sacroiliac joint disease, intervertebral disc nucleolysis, phantom limb, and ablation of peripheral nerves. FUS at nonablative dosage, LILFUS, has potential reversible and tissue-selective effects. FUS applications at nonablative doses currently are at a research stage. The main potential applications include targeted drug and gene delivery through the Blood-Brain Barrier, assessment of pain thresholds and study of pain, and reversible peripheral nerve conduction block. The aim of the present review is to describe the approved and potential applications of the focused ultrasound technology in the field of chronic pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lazzaro di Biase
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, Rome 00128, Italy
- Brain Innovations Lab, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, Rome 00128, Italy
| | - Emma Falato
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, Rome 00128, Italy
| | - Maria Letizia Caminiti
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, Rome 00128, Italy
| | - Pasquale Maria Pecoraro
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, Rome 00128, Italy
| | - Flavia Narducci
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, Rome 00128, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, Rome 00128, Italy
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Haffey PR, Bansal N, Kaye E, Ottestad E, Aiyer R, Noori S, Gulati A. The Regenerative Potential of Therapeutic Ultrasound on Neural Tissue: A Pragmatic Review. PAIN MEDICINE 2020; 21:1494-1506. [DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnaa090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
Low-intensity ultrasound (LIU)/low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) may influence nerve tissue regeneration and axonal changes in the context of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and in the animal model. The purpose of this pragmatic review is to understand the current knowledge for the effects of low-intensity therapeutic ultrasound in the animal and human model and determine the future directions of this novel field.
Design
Pragmatic review.
Methods
We performed a literature search of available material using OVID, EmBase, and PubMed for LIU/LIPUS, all of which were preclinical trials, case reports, and case series using animal models. For CTS, a literature search was performed on PubMed (1954 to 2019), CENTRAL (the Cochrane Library, 1970 to 2018), Web of Science (1954 to 2019), and SCOPUS (1954 to 2019) to retrieve randomized controlled trials.
Results
Eight articles were discussed showing the potential effects of LIU on nerve regeneration in the animal model. Each of these trials demonstrated evidence of nerve regeneration in the animal model using LIPUS or LIU. Seven randomized controlled trials were reviewed for ultrasound effects for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, each showing clinical efficacy comparable to other treatment modalities.
Conclusions
LIU/LIPUS is a promising and noninvasive means of facilitating nerve regeneration in the animal model and in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Although many of the trials included in this review are preclinical, each demonstrates promising outcomes that could eventually be extrapolated into human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Ryan Haffey
- Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nitin Bansal
- Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Elena Kaye
- Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Einar Ottestad
- Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rohit Aiyer
- Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Selaiman Noori
- Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Amitabh Gulati
- Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Bitton RR, Webb TD, Pauly KB, Ghanouni P. Prolonged heating in nontargeted tissue during MR‐guided focused ultrasound of bone tumors. J Magn Reson Imaging 2019; 50:1526-1533. [DOI: 10.1002/jmri.26726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel R. Bitton
- School of Medicine, Department of RadiologyStanford University Stanford California USA
| | - Taylor D. Webb
- Department of Electrical EngineeringStanford University Stanford California USA
| | - Kim Butts Pauly
- School of Medicine, Department of RadiologyStanford University Stanford California USA
| | - Pejman Ghanouni
- School of Medicine, Department of RadiologyStanford University Stanford California USA
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Kaye EA, Maybody M, Monette S, Solomon SB, Gulati A. Ablation of the sacroiliac joint using MR-guided high intensity focused ultrasound: a preliminary experiment in a swine model. J Ther Ultrasound 2017; 5:17. [PMID: 28652915 PMCID: PMC5483839 DOI: 10.1186/s40349-017-0095-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Dysfunction of the Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) is one of the key sources of low back pain. For prolonged pain relief, some patients undergo fluoroscopic guided radio-frequency (RF) ablation of SIJ, during which a number of RF probes are inserted to create thermal lesions that disrupt the posterior sacral nerve supply. This procedure is minimally invasive, laborious, time-consuming and costly. To study if High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) ablation is a feasible alternative approach to SIJ pain treatment, we performed experiments using HIFU to ablate SIJ in the swine model. Methods Three female Yorkshire swine (36, 35.2 and 34 kg) underwent bilateral Magnetic Resonance guided HIFU (MRgHIFU) ablation of the SIJs. Treatment assessment was performed using contrast-enhanced imaging, histopathology and evaluation of pain and changes in ambulation and gait. Results Contiguous lesions along the right and left SIJs were achieved in all animals. In one out of three animals, excessive heating of the muscle and skin tissue in the near-field resulted in unwanted muscle necrosis. No changes in animal behavior, ambulation or gait were detected. Conclusions The initial experiments with MRgHIFU ablation of SIJs in sub-acute swine model show promise for this ablation modality as a non invasive and more precise alternative to the currently used fluoroscopically - guided RF ablations and injections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena A Kaye
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Majid Maybody
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Sebastien Monette
- Tri-Institutional Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, The Rockefeller University, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Stephen B Solomon
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Amitabh Gulati
- Department of Anesthesiology-Critical Care, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10065 USA
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6
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Kaye EA, Monette S, Srimathveeravalli G, Maybody M, Solomon SB, Gulati A. MRI-guided focused ultrasound ablation of lumbar medial branch nerve: Feasibility and safety study in a swine model. Int J Hyperthermia 2016; 32:786-94. [PMID: 27443328 DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2016.1197972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE About 10-40% of chronic low back pain cases involve facet joints, which are commonly treated with lumbar medial branch (MB) radiofrequency neurotomy. Magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS), a non-invasive, non-ionising ablation modality used to treat tumours, neuropathic pain and painful bone metastasis can also be used to disrupt nerve conduction. This work's purpose was to study the feasibility and safety of direct MRgFUS ablation of the lumbar MB nerve in acute and subacute swine models. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vivo MRgFUS ablation was performed in six swine (three acute and three subacute) using a clinical MRgFUS system and a 3-T MRI scanner combination. Behavioural assessment was performed, and imaging and histology were used to assess the treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Histological analysis of the in vivo studies confirmed thermal necrosis of the MB nerve could be achieved without damaging the spinal cord or adjacent nerve roots. MRgFUS did not cause changes in the animals' behaviour or ambulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena A Kaye
- a Department of Medical Physics , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York
| | - Sebastien Monette
- b Tri-Institutional Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , Rockefeller University, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York
| | | | - Majid Maybody
- c Department of Radiology , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York
| | - Stephen B Solomon
- c Department of Radiology , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York
| | - Amitabh Gulati
- d Department of Anesthesiology , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , USA
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Huisman M, Staruch RM, Ladouceur-Wodzak M, van den Bosch MA, Burns DK, Chhabra A, Chopra R. Non-Invasive Targeted Peripheral Nerve Ablation Using 3D MR Neurography and MRI-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (MR-HIFU): Pilot Study in a Swine Model. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144742. [PMID: 26659073 PMCID: PMC4682836 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Ultrasound (US)-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been proposed for noninvasive treatment of neuropathic pain and has been investigated in in-vivo studies. However, ultrasound has important limitations regarding treatment guidance and temperature monitoring. Magnetic resonance (MR)-imaging guidance may overcome these limitations and MR-guided HIFU (MR-HIFU) has been used successfully for other clinical indications. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing 3D MR neurography to identify and guide ablation of peripheral nerves using a clinical MR-HIFU system. METHODS Volumetric MR-HIFU was used to induce lesions in the peripheral nerves of the lower limbs in three pigs. Diffusion-prep MR neurography and T1-weighted images were utilized to identify the target, plan treatment and immediate post-treatment evaluation. For each treatment, one 8 or 12 mm diameter treatment cell was used (sonication duration 20 s and 36 s, power 160-300 W). Peripheral nerves were extracted < 3 hours after treatment. Ablation dimensions were calculated from thermal maps, post-contrast MRI and macroscopy. Histological analysis included standard H&E staining, Masson's trichrome and toluidine blue staining. RESULTS All targeted peripheral nerves were identifiable on MR neurography and T1-weighted images and could be accurately ablated with a single exposure of focused ultrasound, with peak temperatures of 60.3 to 85.7°C. The lesion dimensions as measured on MR neurography were similar to the lesion dimensions as measured on CE-T1, thermal dose maps, and macroscopy. Histology indicated major hyperacute peripheral nerve damage, mostly confined to the location targeted for ablation. CONCLUSION Our preliminary results indicate that targeted peripheral nerve ablation is feasible with MR-HIFU. Diffusion-prep 3D MR neurography has potential for guiding therapy procedures where either nerve targeting or avoidance is desired, and may also have potential for post-treatment verification of thermal lesions without contrast injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merel Huisman
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States of America
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert M. Staruch
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States of America
- Clinical Sites Research Program, Philips Research North America, Briarcliff Manor, NY, United States of America
| | | | | | - Dennis K. Burns
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States of America
| | - Avneesh Chhabra
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States of America
| | - Rajiv Chopra
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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