Key Points
- The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting and Expo was held March 4–9 in Phoenix.
- A course on “Upcoming Ablation Technologies: HIFU and Histotripsy” included eight presentations and a lively Q&A discussion.
- In all, 20 presentations included focused ultrasound mechanisms and indications.
The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting and Expo was held March 4–9 in Phoenix, Arizona. More than 5,000 interventional radiology professionals and industry representatives attended the conference, which featured focused ultrasound content across several indications.
Most notably, a 90-minute categorical course called “Upcoming Ablation Technologies: HIFU and Histotripsy” was planned and moderated by Alan Matsumoto, MD (University of Virginia) and Fred T. Lee, Jr., MD (University of Wisconsin). The course included eight presentations over two sessions followed by a lively, 20-minute Q&A discussion.
Session A. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) – How does it work, what are the current and emerging technologies, what are some of its non-neuro applications and what are the results?
- What is HIFU, its mechanisms of action, and emerging technologies? by Bradford J. Wood, MD (National Institutes of Health)
- HIFU for prostate and pancreatic tumors by Pejman Ghanouni, MD (Stanford University)
- HIFU for liver tumors by Constantin C. Coussios, OBE, FREng, PhD (University of Oxford)
- HIFU in pediatrics and for musculoskeletal pain by Karun V. Sharma, MD, PhD (Children’s National Hospital and George Washington University)
- HIFU for fibroids and thyroid lesion by Suzanne LeBlang, MD (Focused Ultrasound Foundation)
Session B. Histotripsy, emerging imaging guidance technologies, and immuno-oncology applications
- What is histotripsy, its mechanism of action, and available technologies? by Timothy J. Ziemlewicz, MD (University of Wisconsin)
- What are the clinical trial results showing with histotripsy? by Mishal Mendiratta-Lala, MD (University of Michigan)
- Histotripsy, immuno-oncology, and image-based targeting by Paul F. Laeseke, MD, PhD (University of Wisconsin)
“There were about 150 attendees for our HIFU and Histotripsy course,” said Dr. LeBlang, the Foundation’s Director of Clinical Relationships. “Beyond that, there were numerous other focused ultrasound presentations included in other sessions.
The Foundation also hosted a “next generation” cocktail reception for new members of SIR. It was well attended and provided the opportunity for young interventional radiologists to learn more about focused ultrasound and its wide breadth of indications.
Cardiovascular
- Efficacy and safety of perirenal fat ablation with focused power ultrasound for lowering serum cholesterol in dyslipidemia patients at low-to-moderate cardiovascular risk (CONCISE): A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, clinical trial by Xiang-Qing Kong, Chief, Division of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China
Histotripsy
- Mobile C-arm guided histotripsy: Assessment of image quality in an in vivo porcine model by Grace M. Minesinger, BS, University of Wisconsin Madison
- Bubbling up: Histotripsy and its applications by Amanda R. Smolock, MD, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin
- Evolving ablation techniques coordinated by Amanda R. Smolock, MD, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin
- Histotripsy: Technology and clinical evidence by Timothy J. Ziemlewicz, MD, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics
- Histotripsy and immune effects by Irving C. Allen, MBA, PhD, Virginia Tech
- Reduction of respiratory motion effect on histotripsy ablation in porcine liver models by use of jet ventilation by John E. Winterholler, MD, UW Hospitals and Clinics (poster)
- Role of histotripsy in interventional oncology: Current applications and future directions by Kylie Zane, MD, University of Chicago
- Multidetector CT guided histotripsy – A targeting solution for closed bore imaging systems by Martin G. Wagner, PhD, University of Wisconsin Madison
Renal Denervation
- Renal denervation is back. What IRs need to know: Focused ultrasound by Marc R. Sapoval, MD, PhD, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou
- Comparative technical options for renal denervation by Marc R. Sapoval, MD, PhD, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou
Women’s Health
- Long-term outcomes of MR-guided focused ultrasound for treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids by Meghan R. Clark, MD, University of Virginia Health System
SIR’s goal to promote the high-quality practice of interventional radiology by disseminating the latest information in basic and clinical research. Attendees learn about the techniques and technologies used by interventional radiologists around the world, see the latest equipment, and discuss issues that are important to the interventional radiology community.
SIR 2024 will take place March 23–28 in Salt Lake City, Utah.