High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound in Functional Neurosurgery

Abstract

Stereotactic functional neurosurgical interventions for basal ganglia are an important method for treating pain, obsessive–compulsive, movement and depressive disorders. These interventions include destructive surgeries and deep brain stimulation through implanted electrodes. Destructive surgeries have a number of serious limitations, since they are associated with a higher risk of complications, especially in case of bilateral interventions. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a novel noninvasive approach proposed for destruction of a certain target point in the brain. We discuss the technical foundations of HIFU, thoroughly analyze the advantages and drawbacks of the method compared to other methods of modern functional neurosurgery, and summarize the first results of using HIFU in the world’s leading clinics. Further accumulation of experience is needed to perform a well-considered analysis of the potential of HIFU and to assess the long-term effects of the interventions performed and the role of this procedure in the algorithms for treating various nervous system diseases.