MRI follow-up after magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound for non-invasive thalamotomy: the neuroradiologist's perspective.

Purpose: Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) systems are increasingly used to non-invasively treat tremor; consensus on imaging follow-up is poor in these patients. This study aims to elucidate how MRgFUS lesions evolve for a radiological readership with regard to clinical outcome.

Methods: MRgFUS-induced lesions and oedema were retrospectively evaluated based on DWI, SWI, T2-weighted and T1-weighted 3-T MRI data acquired 30 min and 3, 30 and 180 days after MRgFUS (n = 9 essential tremor, n = 1 Parkinson's patients).

Radiographic evaluation of ventral instability in lumbar spondylolisthesis: do we need extension radiographs in routine exams?

Purpose: To determine the usefulness of acquiring extension radiographs for the evaluation of the degree of spondylolisthesis.

Methods: Routine radiographs of the lumbar spine were retrospectively evaluated in 87 patients (mean-age 63, range 32-86) by two independent radiologists. All patients received radiographs in standing neutral, flexion and extension position.

Thermometry during coblation and radiofrequency ablation of vertebral metastases: a cadaver study.

Purpose: To evaluate safety of coblation of simulated lytic metastases in human cadaveric vertebral bodies by measuring heat distribution during thermal tissue ablation and comparing it to radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Materials And Methods: Three devices were compared: a 10 mm single-needle RFA electrode, a 20 mm array RFA electrode and the coblation device. To simulate bone metastases, a spinal tumor model was used stuffing a created lytic cavity with muscle tissue.