MRI-guided focused ultrasound treatment of uterine fibroids.

Magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound (MRI-FUS) is a minimally invasive alternative to surgical and less invasive treatments for uterine fibroids. Early results from small sample studies indicate that the procedure may provide short-term symptom relief with advantages such as shorter recovery time. Few occurrences of major adverse events are reported. Little information is available on the costs or comparisons with other treatments. Long-term studies of larger patient groups are needed to provide further reliable evidence on the safety of this procedure, as well as its clinical and cost-effectiveness.