Gynecological HIFU Research
Research on HIFU in uterine fibroids at the Turku HIFU Research Centre focuses on improving treatment strategies for symptomatic fibroids using the Sonalleve MR-HIFU treatment system. The research is done in close collaboration between gynecologists, radiologists, and medical physicists. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding factors influencing treatment success, including the role of fibroid blood flow, volumetric reduction after treatment, and the use of oxytocin to enhance treatment response. In addition, the research investigates the effects of HIFU on ovarian reserve, symptom relief, and patient quality of life. The overall aim is to refine HIFU therapies and improve outcomes for women with uterine fibroids.
Gynecologists:
Adjunct prof. Kirsi Joronen, MD, PhD
- Department of Gynaecological diseases, Turku University Hospital
- kirsi [dot] joronen [at] varha [dot] fi
Adjunct prof. Antti Perheentupa, MD, PhD
- Department of Gynaecological diseases, Turku University Hospital
- antti [dot] perheentupa [at] varha [dot] fi
Saara Otonkoski, MD, PhD
- Department of Gynaecological diseases, Turku University Hospital
- saara [dot] otonkoski [at] varha [dot] fi
Ina Lehtonen, MD
- Department of Gynaecological diseases, Turku University Hospital
- ina [dot] lehtonen [at] varha [dot] fi
Medical Physicists:
Dr. Teija Sainio, M.Sc., PhD
- Department of Medical Physics, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku
- teija [dot] sainio [at] varha [dot] fi
Reetta Kälvälä, M.Sc. (Tech.)
- Department of Medical Imaging, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku
- reetta [dot] kalvala [at] varha [dot] fi
Radiologists:
Dr. Gaber Komar, MD, Docent
- Department of Radiology
Dr. Anna Laaksonen, MD
- Department of Radiology
Full Publication List:
Sainio T, Komar G, Saunavaara J, Suomi V, Joronen K, Perheentupa A, Viitala A, Sequeiros RB. Wedged gel pad for bowel manipulation during MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy to treat uterine fibroids: a case report. J Ther Ultrasound. 2018 Nov 28;6:10. doi: 10.1186/s40349-018-0116-4. eCollection 2018.
Suomi V, Komar G, Sainio T, Joronen K, Perheentupa A, Blanco Sequeiros R Comprehensive feature selection for classifying the treatment outcome of high-intensity ultrasound therapy in uterine fibroids. Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 29;9(1):1090.
Sainio T, Saunavaara J, Komar G, Otonkoski S, Joronen K, Viitala A, Perheentupa A, Blanco Sequeiros R Feasibility of T2 relaxation time in predicting the technical outcome of MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment of uterine fibroids. Int J Hyperthermia. 2021;38(1):1384-1393.
Sainio T, Saunavaara J, Komar G, Mattila S, Otonkoski S, Joronen K, Perheentupa A, Blanco Sequeiros R Feasibility of apparent diffusion coefficient in predicting the technical outcome of MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment of uterine fibroids – a comparison with the Funaki classification. Int J Hyperthermia. 2021;38(1):85-94.
Otonkoski S, Sainio T, Komar G, Suomi V, Saunavaara J, Blanco Sequeiros R, Perheentupa A, Joronen K. Oxytocin selectively reduces blood flow in uterine fibroids without an effect on myometrial blood flow: a dynamic contrast enhanced MRI evaluation. Int J Hyperthermia. 2020;37(1):1293-1300.
Otonkoski S, Sainio T, Mattila S, Blanco Sequieros R, Perheentupa A, Komar G, Joronen K. Magnetic resonance guided high intensity focused ultrasound for uterine fibroids and adenomyosis has no effect on ovarian reserve. Int J Hyperthermia. 2023;40(1):2154575.
Viitala A, Gabriel M, Joronen K, Komar G, Perheentupa A, Sainio T, Huvila J, Pikander P, Taimen P, Blanco Sequeiros R. Histological findings in resected leiomyomata following MR-HIFU therapy. Int J Hyperthermia 2023;40(1):2234666.
Sainio T, Saunavaara J, Komar G, Viitala A, Otonkoski S, Joronen K, Perheentupa A, Sequeiros RB. Assessing blood flow in uterine fibroids using intravoxel incoherent motion imaging compared with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 23;15(1):2980.
Otonkoski S, Viitala A, Komar G, Sainio T, Yanovskiy A, Blanco Sequieros R, Perheentupa A, Joronen K. Magnetic resonance guided high intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) effectively reduces fibroid-related symptoms and improves quality of life-A prospective single-centre 12-month follow-up study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2025 Apr 29. doi: 10.1111/aogs.15086