Applications of high-intensity focused ultrasound in medicine: Spotlight on neurological applications

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has the potential to become a modality of treatment for a wide range of clinical conditions. HIFU enables non-invasive, selective ablation of tissues including tumors and punctured vessels. Another promising area of research within the field of therapeutic ultrasound is the application of HIFU to treat neurological disorders by selectively targeting the brain, spinal cord, or nerves. This paper provides an overview of the current applications of focused ultrasound in medicine with an emphasis on its use in the fields of neurology and neurosurgery. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.