Focused Ultrasound Therapy
Focused ultrasound is an early-stage, noninvasive, therapeutic technology with the potential to improve the quality of life and decrease the cost of care for patients with ectopic pregnancy. 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 the ectopic pregnancy to be treated without surgery. While some treatments of ectopic pregnancy have been reported, further research is needed before this can become routinely available.
Advantages
The primary options for treatment of ectopic pregnancy will sometimes 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 ectopic pregnancy.
Regulatory Approval and Reimbursement
Focused ultrasound treatment for ectopic pregnancy is not yet approved by regulatory bodies or covered by medical insurance companies.
Notable Papers
Mi W, Pei P, Zheng Y. Clinical efficacy and safety between high-intensity focused ultrasound and uterine artery embolization for cesarean scar pregnancy: a systematic review and a meta-analysis. Ann Palliat Med. 2021 Jun;10(6):6379-6387. doi: 10.21037/apm-21-839.
Jiang J, Xue M. The treatment of cervical pregnancy with high-intensity focused ultrasound followed by suction curettage: report of three cases. Int J Hyperthermia. 2019 Jan 24:1-4. doi: 10.1080/02656736.2018.1563914.
Yu L, Xu L, Xu X. Treatment of cornual pregnancy in a patient with adenomyosis by high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Dec;96(48):e8874. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000008874.
He GB1, Luo W, Zhou XD, Liu LW, Yu M, Ma XD. A preliminary clinical study on high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy for tubal pregnancy. Scott Med J. 2011 Nov;56(4):214-9.
Click here for additional references from PubMed.