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. Where the beams converge, the 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.

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 and lower cost.

Advantages:

• Focused ultrasound is noninvasive, so it does not carry added concerns like surgical wound healing or infection.
• Focused ultrasound can reach the desired target without damaging surrounding tissue.
• It can be repeated, 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

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.