- Desmoid tumors are benign but locally aggressive soft tissue tumors that arise from fibroblast cells.
- The gold-standard assessment of the reduction of viable tumor volume post-treatment is non-perfused volume (NPV). Evaluation of NPV is typically performed with post-treatment gadolinium enhanced MR imaging. As gadolinium cannot be repeatedly administered during treatments, there is a need for alternative non-contrast monitoring of the tissue to prevent over and under treatment.
- The objective of this study was to develop an alternative method of non-contrast monitoring of tissue ablation during focused ultrasound treatment.
- Double-echo and multi-echo images were acquired before, during and after the MRgFUS treatment. T2 maps were generated with an exponential fit and T2 maps were compared to post-treatment post-contrast images. T2 mapping showed excellent qualitative agreement with the post-contrast NPV.
- This study showed that T2 mapping may be used to visualize the extent of ablation with focused ultrasound and can be used as a predictor of NPV prior to the administration of contrast.
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