Abstract
Successful cryotherapy of the prostate for neoplasms relies on imaging to achieve good oncological outcomes with minimal complications. Traditional prostatic cryotherapy relies on 2-dimensional ultrasonography (2DUS) guidance, which often makes it difficult to track the passage of needles in an oblique plane. We describe our initial 3-dimensional ultrasonography (3DUS) system, and the subsequent improvements that have been made during the last 10 years. Our imaging system uses a Philips HDI 5000 ultrasonography unit, a standard PC, a Matrox Meteor II video frame grabber and 3DUS developed at Robarts Research Institute. For the cryotherapy we use ultrathin (17-gauge) IceRod needles. After image acquisition, preplanning is performed using the 3-dimensional (3D) software, and then the IceRod needles are inserted into the prostate. As the freezing process commences, continuous 3DUS images are taken and analyzed during the double freeze-thaw cycles to monitor the progress of the ice ball formation. Real-time intraoperative 3D imaging of the prostate during cryotherapy has allowed us to accurately preplan and then monitor the progression of ice ball formation, which represents a significant advantage over conventional 2DUS.