High-intensity focused ultrasound for potential treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: toward a noninvasive surgery

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), under dual-mode ultrasound arrays (DMUAs) guidance, to induce localized thermal damage inside ovaries without damage to the ovarian surface.

Design: Laboratory feasibility study.

Setting: University-based laboratory.

Animal(s): Ex vivo canine and bovine ovaries.

Intervention(s): DMUA-guided HIFU.

Main outcome measure(s): Detection of ovarian damage by ultrasound imaging, gross pathology, and histology.

Result(s): It is feasible to induce localized thermal damage inside ovaries without damage to the ovarian surface. DMUA provided sensitive imaging feedback regarding the anatomy of the treated ovaries and the ablation process. Different ablation protocols were tested, and thermal damage within the treated ovaries was histologically characterized.

Conclusion(s): The absence of damage to the ovarian surface may eliminate many of the complications linked to current laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) techniques. HIFU may be used as a less traumatic tool to perform LOD.

Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); dual-mode ultrasound arrays (DMUA); high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU); infertility; laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD).