Endourethral MRI Guidance for Prostatic RF Ablation

摘要

Prostate cancer constitutes a major health problem. Although the medical techniques currently in use to diagnose prostate cancer are successful, the methods to stage the cancer and visualize the invasion and spread of the cancer are inadequate. MRI is known to be the best method for staging but it does not offer image resolution that is acceptable, especially for detecting disease in the anterior prostate. In the first year of the project, we have developed a phased array coil setup that enabled us to image the prostate with a 160-micron image resolution. The second year, we developed a mechanical setup that enabled placement of the needles in the prostate with 1mm accuracy. Results from both of these endeavors have been published in high-impact journals. We have also developed methods for imaging temperature changes in the prostate with high accuracy. Most of the goals of this project have been achieved.