HIGH-INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND IN THE TREATMENT OF PROSTATIC DISEASE

Beginning in 1987, high-intensity focused ultrasound was investigated experimentally in a canine model to determine whether or not prostate tissue could be destroyed with good aiming and control. Subsequently a transrectal probe was developed and used to treat canine prostates in a formal study to determine whether or not this technology could be u sed to treat human benign prostatic hypertrophy. Next, after FDA appro val, 15 patients were treated at Indiana University in the fall of 199 2. Both canine and human studies have shown that high-intensity focuse d ultrasound administered via a transrectal probe is capable of creati ng prostate lesions without injury to intervening and surrounding tiss ue.