MR guidance and thermometry of percutaneous laser disc decompression in open MRI: an ex vivo study.PURPOSE
 To assess the feasibility of guidance and thermometry by open 1.0 T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging during percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD).


 A fluoroscopic proton-density-weighted turbo spin echo sequence was used for positioning a laser fiber and a reference thermosensor within the targeted spinal disc.  In 30 lumbar discs from human donors, nonspoiled gradient-echo (GRE) sequences with different echo times (TE) were compared to monitor thermal laser effects (Nd:YAG laser, 1,064 nm).  Instrument guidance and PRF-based thermometry of PLDD in the lumbar spine are feasible and accurate. 
THERM