Magnetic resonance imaging guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) is a non-invasive technique with a low risk of complications for the patient and few side effects. Integration with MRI allows monitoring of the temperature regime of thermal doses, which protects important structures from overheating, and at the same time directing a high thermal dose to the target tissue.

MR-HIFU in the treatment of uterine fibroids, prostate cancer and the treatment of pain in bone metastases is compared with both traditional methods of treatment (uterine artery embolization, hysterectomy, prostatectomy, etc.).

To assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of non-invasive MR-HIFU, a literature search was performed in the MEDLINE database using the following keywords:“MRgFUS” “MR-HIFU”. The following filters were used: (i) article type: meta-analysis, systematic review, guidance; (ii) date of publication: no later than 5 years (from 2016).

According to the search terms, 104 publications were submitted to MEDLINE for keywords. After using filters, 57 publications were identified to familiarize themselves with research abstracts. The analysis included six publications according to PICO criteria.

The use of non-invasive MR-HIFU therapy for the treatment of uterine fibroids, prostate cancer and various forms of metastatic bone lesions does not have convincing evidence of advantages over standard treatment methods (surgical resection, embolization, etc.) and may be used only as an alternative technique or in addition to standard therapy.

Despite some advantages of the MR-HIFU technology, it is experimental and should only be used as an alternative to surgical treatment. Convincing evidence of the efficacy of MR-HIFU treatment in meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials has not yet been published.