MR imaging-controlled transurethral ultrasound therapy is feasible, safe, and well tolerated. This technology could be an attractive approach for whole-gland or focal therapy.

Thermal ablation by physical agents is widely used in clinical settings, but it generally results in a small coagulated volume. Here, we report that a technologically advanced high intensity focused ultrasound transducer can significantly enlarge the coagulated volume over short periods of time. Eight ultrasound emitters were created by sectioning a single toric piezocomposite transducer. A single thermal lesion is created when the eight emitters perform alternative and consecutive 5s ultrasound exposures. This paper presents in vivo evidence that the coagulated volume obtained from a 40s total exposure in the liver was 8.6±4.8cm3.

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