Focused Ultrasound Therapy
Focused ultrasound is a noninvasive, therapeutic technology with the potential to improve the quality of life and decrease the cost of care for patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This novel technology focuses beams of ultrasound energy precisely and accurately on targets deep in the body without damaging surrounding normal tissue.
How it Works
Where the beams converge, focused ultrasound produces precise ablation (thermal destruction of tissue) enabling PCOS to be treated without surgery. While this has been very encouraging in preclinical models, the use of focused ultrasound to ablate aberrant ovarian tissue will require further research before it can be readily available.
Advantages
The primary options for treatment of PCOS include medication, but it may require surgery.
For certain patients, focused ultrasound could provide a noninvasive alternative to surgery with less risk of complications – such as surgical wound healing or infection – at a lower cost. It can reach the desired target without damaging surrounding tissue and is repeatable, if necessary.
Clinical Trials
At the present time, there are no clinical trials recruiting patients for focused ultrasound treatment of PCOS.
Regulatory Approval and Reimbursement
Focused ultrasound treatment for PCOS is not yet approved by regulatory bodies or covered by medical insurance companies.
Notable Papers
Shehata IA, Ballard JR, Casper AJ, Hennings LJ, Cressman E, Ebbini ES. High-intensity focused ultrasound for potential treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: toward a noninvasive surgery. Fertil Steril. 2014 Feb;101(2):545-51.
Moussatov AG, Baker AC, Duck FA. A possible approach to the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome using focused ultrasound. Ultrasonics. 1998 Jul;36(8):893-900.
Click here for additional references from PubMed.
