To describe the role of the radiographers in screening and intraoperative imaging for patients undergoing tcMRgFUS procedures as well in subsequent follow-ups.

TcMRgFUS is a novel incisionless stereotactic procedure based on target thermal ablation using high-intensity focused ultrasound beam delivered through the intact skull. The tcMRgFUS system consists of a hemispherical helmet that contains 1024 phased-array transducers operating at 650 kHz (ExAblate Neuro, INSIGHTEC Ltd.) When using a 1.5T MRI scanner, treatment planning and intraprocedural monitoring are carried out using images acquired with a dedicated flexible 2-channels head coil embebbed into the elastic membrane positioned on the patient's head. TcMRgFUS is performed in clinical practice for the...

Patients are screened with a head CT (mandatory to calculate the skull density ratio value and an optimal visualization of intracranial calcifications). Indeed, the bone represents an obstacle to the propagation of ultrasound, causing attenuation and absorption phenomena with consequent overheating and reduction of the intensity of the beam, which could lose a large portion of the energy before reaching the target. For this reason, during the treatment simulations, CT and MRI images are registered to apply a phase correction algorithm that takes into account...

Technologist play a crucial role during a tcMRgFUS procedure by ensuring a good imaging quality and planning, allowing the treating physician to easily place the chosen target. Its role is just as important during screenings and follow-ups examinations. In addition, from our experience, the role of the technician may also become crucial for optimal patient management during the procedures, being able to take care of the patient while the physicians discuss about what to do, avoiding or reducing patients perceived downtimes. The rapid diffusion of...

G. Comparetto; Ficarazzi/IT; R. Cannella; Palermo/IT; F. Di Bella; Bagheria/IT - Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Neurosciences - University Hospital Paolo Giaccone; Palermo ITALY T. V. Bartolotta; Palermo/IT; M. Midiri; Palermo/IT; C. Gagliardo; Palermo/IT - Section of Radiological Sciences - Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (University of Palermo); Palermo ITALY

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