Magnetic resonance imaging-guided interstitial application of laser aided by fiber optic temperature sensing

In order to further understand signal variations observed on magnetic resonance imaging scans of interstitial laser heating, a commercial multichannel fluoroptic thermometer, equipped with fiber optic sensors, was employed in conjunction with the laser/MRI phototherapy system. Three calibrated fiber optic sensors of the thermometer were used to measure temperature changes in ex-vivo sheep's brain at various distances directly across from the beam of a Nd:YAG laser emitted from a bare fiber. Laser was operated at 5 W for 220 sec. Temperature was measured every 10 seconds and MR images were acquired during and after laser irradiation until temperature in all probes returned to the equilibrium level of prelaser irradiation. Image contrast analysis of the heated region showed that MRI signal variations, during heating and cooling periods, correlated well with the changes in temperature. It is concluded that direct thermometry of MRI-monitored laser application will aid in understanding the effects of high focal heating on the MRI signal.