Interventional use of magnetic resonance imaging.

Among the currently available imaging techniques, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers particular advantages for guiding, monitoring, and controlling diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, with particular appeal for most of the minimally invasive, minimal access approaches. The most obvious role of MRI is in monitoring and controlling a variety of interstitial ablative procedures, utilizing methods including thermal therapy (interstitial laser therapy, cryosurgery, focused ultrasound surgery). A fundamental requirement of MR monitoring is the implementation of pulse sequences with appropriate spatial and temporal resolution as well as overall image quality suitable for the dynamic imaging task. In addition, there is a need for a more accessible magnet configuration to enable execution of various interventional procedures. MR compatibility of instruments and devices, therefore, needs to be addressed, as must the integration of therapy delivery modalities with the MR system.