Clinical Long-Term Outcome and Reinterventional Rate After Uterine Fibroid Embolization with Nonspherical Versus Spherical Polyvinyl Alcohol Particles

Purpose

This study was designed to evaluate the long-term clinical outcome and frequency of reinterventions in patients with uterine fibroids treated with embolization at a single center using polyvinyl alcohol microparticles.

Methods

The study included all patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids treated with uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) with spherical (s-PVA) and nonspherical (ns-PVA) polyvinyl alcohol microparticles during the period January 2001 to January 2011. Clinical success and secondary interventions were examined. Hospital records were reviewed during follow-up, and symptom-specific questionnaires were sent to all patients.

Results

In total, 515 patients were treated with UFE and 350 patients (67 %) were available for long-term clinical follow-up. Median time of follow-up was 93 (range 76–120.2) months. Eighty-five patients (72 %) had no reinterventions during follow-up in the group embolized with ns-PVA compared with 134 patients (58 %) treated with s-PVA. Thirty-three patients (28 %) underwent secondary interventions in the ns-PVA group compared with 98 patients (42 %) in s-PVA group (χ ² test, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Spherical PVA particles 500–700 µm showed high reintervention rate at long-term follow-up, and almost one quarter of the patients underwent secondary interventions, suggesting that this type of particle is inappropriate for UFE.

     

Pregnancy Following Uterine Artery Embolization with Polyvinyl Alcohol Particles for Patients with Uterine Fibroid or Adenomyosis

Purpose: To determine whether uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles affects fertility in women desiring future pregnancy. Methods: Of 288 patients managed with UFE with PVA particles for uterine myoma or adenomyosis between 1998 and 2001, 94 patients were enrolled in this study. The age range of participants was 20–40 years. The data were collected through review of medical records and telephone interviews. Mean duration of follow-up duration was 35 months (range 22–60 months). Patients using contraception and single women were excluded, and the chance of infertility caused by possible spousal infertility or other factors was disregarded. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was performed in all patients before and after UFE, and the size of PVA particles used was 255–700 μm. Results: Among 94 patients who underwent UFE with PVA, 74 were on contraceptives, 6 had been single until the point of interview, and 8 were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 6 patients who desired future pregnancy, 5 (83%) succeeded in becoming pregnant (1 patient became pregnant twice). Of a total of 8 pregnancies, 6 were planned pregnancies and 2 occurred after contraception failed. Five deliveries were vaginal, and 2 were by elective cesarean. Artificial abortion was performed in 1 case of unplanned pregnancy. There was 1 case of premature rupture of membrane (PROM) followed by preterm labor and delivery of an infant who was small-for-gestational-age. After UFE, mean volume reduction rates of the uterus and fibroid were 36.6% (range 0 to 62.6%) and 69.3% (range 36.3% to 93.3%), respectively. Conclusion: Although the absolute number of cases was small, UFE with PVA particles ultimately did not affect fertility in the women who underwent the procedure.     

Development of a Hypertrophic Ovarian Artery After Uterine Artery Embolization with Polyvinyl Alcohol Particles

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the treatment of symptomatic leiomyomata has shown excellent short-term clinical efficacy and minimal complications, yet recurrences after successful treatments at mid- and long-term follow-up have been reported. Exact etiologies for such recurrences have not been fully understood. We present a case of symptom recurrence with the development of a hypertrophic ovarian artery after successful UAE with polyvinyl alcohol particles, successfully treated with ovarian and repeat UAEs.     

Unenhanced MR Angiography of Uterine and Ovarian Arteries after Uterine Artery Embolization: Differences between Patients with Incomplete and Complete Fibroid Infarction

Purpose

To compare the status of uterine and ovarian arteries after uterine artery embolization (UAE) in patients with incomplete and complete fibroid infarction via unenhanced 3D time-of-flight magnetic resonance (MR) angiography.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-five consecutive women (mean age 43?years; range 26?C52?years) with symptomatic uterine fibroids underwent UAE and MR imaging before and within 2?months after UAE. The patients were divided into incomplete and complete fibroid infarction groups on the basis of the postprocedural gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging findings. Two independent observers reviewed unenhanced MR angiography before and after UAE to determine bilateral uterine and ovarian arterial flow scores. The total arterial flow scores were calculated by summing the scores of the 4 arteries. All scores were compared with the Mann-Whitney test.

Results

Fourteen and 21 patients were assigned to the incomplete and complete fibroid infarction groups, respectively. The total arterial flow score in the incomplete fibroid infarction group was significantly greater than that in the complete fibroid infarction group (P?=?0.019 and P?=?0.038 for observers 1 and 2, respectively). In 3 patients, additional therapy was recommended for insufficient fibroid infarction. In 1 of the 3 patients, bilateral ovarian arteries were invisible before UAE but seemed enlarged after UAE.

Conclusion

The total arterial flow from bilateral uterine and ovarian arteries in patients with incomplete fibroid infarction is less well reduced than in those with complete fibroid infarction. Postprocedural MR angiography provides useful information to estimate the cause of insufficient fibroid infarction in individual cases.     

子宫动脉栓塞治疗子宫肌瘤的现状

子宫动脉栓塞术通过选择合适的栓塞剂,栓塞双侧子宫动脉从而阻断子宫肌瘤血供,使子宫肌瘤体积逐渐缩小,临床症状缓解,达到治疗的目的.近二十年来已经在世界各地广泛应用,它能保留患者子宫,改善生活质量,副作用小,是一种成熟的技术.虽然在对卵巢功能和生育方面的影响尚不完全确定,但手术能够保留子宫,提高患者自我性别认同,在选择合适适应证的情况下可以替代子宫切除术.     

Ovarian Artery: Angiographic Appearance,Embolization and Relevance to Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Purpose: To describe the angiographic appearance of the ovarian artery and its main variations that may be relevant to uterine fibroid embolization. Methods: The flush aortograms of 294 women who had been treated by uterine artery embolization for fibroids were reviewed. Significant arterial supply to the fibroid, and the origin and diameter of identified ovarian arteries were recorded. In patients with additional embolization of the ovarian artery, the follow-up evaluation also included hormonal levels and Doppler imaging of the ovaries. Results: A total of 75 ovarian arteries were identified in 59 women (bilaterally in 16 women and unilaterally in 43 women). All ovarian arteries originated from the aorta below the level of the renal arteries with a characteristic tortuous course. Fifteen women had at least one enlarged ovarian artery supplying the fibroids. Fourteen women (14/15, 93%) presented at least one of the following factors: prior pelvic surgery, tubo-ovarian pathology or large fundal fibroids. Conclusion: We advocate the use of flush aortography in women with prior tubo-ovarian pathology or surgery or in cases of large fundal fibroids. In the case of an ovarian artery supply to the fibroids, superselective catheterization and embolization of the ovarian artery should be considered.     

Comparison of Pain After Uterine Artery Embolization Using Tris-Acryl Gelatin Microspheres Versus Polyvinyl Alcohol Particles

When compared in a uterine artery embolization (UAE) animal model, Embospheres (ES) (Biosphere Medical, Rockland, MA) were found to induce less uterine ischemia than polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles. Given this finding, we aimed to test the hypothesis that ES is associated with less pain after UAE than PVA in human patients. We performed retrospective analysis on data from 72 consecutive UAE patients, collected from a prospectively acquired database. Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump-delivered morphine sulfate (MS) dosages were compared between patients who received ES versus PVA. Subjective pain scores (SPS) were also compared between the two groups. Secondary outcome measures, including embolic volume and clinical outcome data, were also collected. Linear regression and t-test statistical analyses were performed. Null hypotheses were rejected at the p < 0.05 level. Mean follow-up period in the PVA population was 178 days (range 28–426), versus 96 days (range 24–197) in the ES population. The mean MS doses used by ES and PVA patients were 37.2 (s.d. 23.5) versus 47.1 (s.d. 26.8), respectively. This difference was not significant (p > 0.15). Utilizing a standard 0–10 pain scale, the mean peak SPS for the ES and PVA groups were 5.58 (s.d. 2.77) and 5.07 (s.d. 2.99), respectively. The difference was not significant. The mean amount of embolic material used in each ES and PVA patient was 4.86 cc (s.d. 3.01) and 3.52 cc (s.d. 1.63), respectively. The difference revealed a strong trend toward statistical significance (p = 0.05). There was one treatment failure in each group of patients. Within both patient samples, no significant correlation was found when comparing the volume of embolic used and subsequent MS dose. Despite a strong trend toward a significantly higher volume of ES used per patient, there is no subjective or objective difference in pain after UAE with ES when compared to PVA.     

子宫肌瘤栓塞术中子宫动脉卵巢支的显示及其意义

目的　研究子宫肌瘤动脉栓塞治疗时 ,卵巢支显示与卵巢功能改变的关系。资料与方法　对 2 5 3例行动脉栓塞治疗子宫肌瘤患者进行回顾性研究 ,统计子宫动脉卵巢支显示类型 ,比较不同显示类型与发生停经、闭经的关系。结果　子宫动脉造影时 ,196例未显示卵巢血管 ,其中有 4例治疗后发生停经或闭经 ,5 7例显示卵巢血管 ,其中 5例发生停经或闭经。两者比较有显著性差异 (χ2 =4 .0 4 ,P <0 .0 5 )。结论　子宫动脉造影卵巢支显示的患者 ,卵巢功能可能易受影响 ,表现为发生停经或闭经者较多     

真丝线段和聚己烯己醇海绵在子宫肌瘤栓塞术的应用研究

目的评价真丝线段和聚己烯己醇海绵(PVA)在子宫肌瘤栓塞术的临床应用价值.材料和方法73例子宫肌瘤,行选择性双侧子宫动脉插管造影,明确子宫肌瘤血供后,分别采用真丝线段(25例)和PVA(48例)栓塞子宫动脉.结果术后6个月,98.33%月经量恢复正常,肌瘤体积缩小56.05%(p＜0.01),真丝线段组与PVA组无显著差异(p＞0.05);真丝线段组复发率8%,PVA组无复发,两者差异不显著(p＞0.05).不良反应包括缺血性盆腔疼痛、发热等,经对症治疗后缓解,真丝线段组发热的发生率高于PVA组(p＜0.05);无并发症.结论子宫肌瘤栓塞术安全、有效.真丝线段和PVA均能取得满意的临床疗效,PVA值得推荐使用.     

Comparison of Polyvinyl Alcohol Microspheres and Tris-Acryl Gelatin Microspheres for Uterine Fibroid Embolization: Results of a Single-Center Randomized Study

PurposeTo assess the efficacy of two embolic agents in the treatment of symptomatic uterine leiomyomas.Materials and MethodsA randomized, prospective, single-center study enrolled 60 women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas. Uterine artery embolization (UAE) with spherical polyvinyl alcohol (SPVA) microspheres (n = 30; 700–900 μm and 900–1,200 μm; near-stasis or stasis endpoint) and tris-acryl gelatin (TAG) microspheres (n = 30; 500–700 μm; “pruned-tree” endpoint) was performed. Infarction rates were calculated for the dominant tumor and for small (< 2 cm) and large (> 2 cm) nondominant tumors. The primary endpoint was tumor infarction at 24 hours measured by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging assessed by a blinded reviewer.ResultsBaseline characteristics were similar between groups. The primary endpoint was similar in both treatments (≥ 91% dominant tumor infarction; SPVA. 86.2%; TAG, 93.3%, P = .35). Complete infarction (100%) was also similar between arms at 24 hours and 3 months. Symptom severity was reduced and quality of life improved equally at 3 and 12 months in each treatment group. Complications were minor in both groups.ConclusionsUterine leiomyoma infarction at 24 hours and 3 months after treatment with SPVA or TAG microspheres was comparable when using near-stasis as a procedural endpoint with SPVA microspheres. Symptom relief was maintained for as long as 12 months for both embolic agents.     

子宫肌瘤血管造影特点及对栓塞治疗的意义

目的 研究子宫肌瘤血管造影表现特点及对栓塞治疗的意义。资料与方法 本组75例，其中黏膜下肌瘤9例，肌壁间肌瘤50例，浆膜下肌瘤16例。单发肌瘤21例，多发肌瘤54例。局麻下采用Seldinger技术经右侧股动脉穿刺插管，应用5F Cobra导管分别插入双侧子宫动脉造影，观察子宫肌瘤供血动脉、肌瘤的血管网及其肌瘤的形态、大小、部位及数目、供血类型，然后进行栓塞治疗。结果 (1)一侧子宫动脉供血为主型，即一侧子宫动脉的供血量超过子宫肌瘤主体的1／2，表现该侧子宫动脉明显增粗，供血范围达到或超过肌瘤染色的1／2，38例，占51％。(2)双侧子宫动脉供血为主型，即双侧子宫动脉的供血量均超过子宫肌瘤主体的1／2，28例，占37％。(3)单纯一侧子宫动脉供血型，即肌瘤的血供全部来源于一侧子宫动脉，而另一侧子宫动脉不参与供血，9例，占12％。结论 无论是一侧子宫动脉供血为主型，双侧供血为主型，还是单纯一侧供血型子宫肌瘤都应行双侧子宫动脉栓塞才能彻底切断子宫肌瘤的血供。对于单纯一侧子宫动脉供血者，栓塞时供血侧应用永久性栓塞剂，另一侧应用短效栓塞剂，可避免侧支循环的形成和子宫肌层的坏死。     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Analysis of Fibroid Location in Women Achieving Pregnancy After Uterine Artery Embolization

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fibroid morphology in a cohort of women achieving pregnancy following treatment with uterine artery embolization (UAE) for symptomatic uterine fibroids. A retrospective review of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the uterus was performed to assess pre-embolization fibroid morphology. Data were collected on fibroid size, type, and number and included analysis of follow-up imaging to assess response. There have been 67 pregnancies in 51 women, with 40 live births. Intramural fibroids were seen in 62.7% of the women (32/48). Of these the fibroids were multiple in 16. A further 12 women had submucosal fibroids, with equal numbers of types 1 and 2. Two of these women had coexistent intramural fibroids. In six women the fibroids could not be individually delineated and formed a complex mass. All subtypes of fibroid were represented in those subgroups of women achieving a live birth versus those who did not. These results demonstrate that the location of uterine fibroids did not adversely affect subsequent pregnancy in the patient population investigated. Although this is only a small qualitative study, it does suggest that all types of fibroids treated with UAE have the potential for future fertility.     

Uterine Artery Embolization in Patients with a Large Fibroid Burden: Long-Term Clinical and MR Follow-up

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) in patients with a large fibroid burden is controversial. Anecdotal reports describe serious complications and limited clinical results. We report the long-term clinical and magnetic resonance (MR) results in a large series of women with a dominant fibroid of >10 cm and/or an uterine volume of >700 cm³. Seventy-one consecutive patients (mean age, 42.5 years; median, 40 years; range, 25–52 years) with a large fibroid burden were treated by UAE between August 2000 and April 2005. Volume reduction and infarction rate of dominant fibroid and uterus were assessed by comparing the baseline and latest follow-up MRIs. Patients were clinically followed at various time intervals after UAE with standardized questionnaires. There were no serious complications of UAE. During a mean follow-up of 48 months (median, 59 months; range, 6–106 months), 10 of 71 patients (14%) had a hysterectomy. Mean volume reduction of the fibroid and uterus was 44 and 43%. Mean infarction rate of the fibroid and overall fibroid infarction rate was 86 and 87%. In the vast majority of patients there was a substantial improvement of symptoms. Clinical results were similar in patients with a dominant fibroid >10 cm and in patients with large uterine volumes by diffuse fibroid disease. In conclusion, our results indicate that the risk of serious complications after UAE in patients with a large fibroid burden is not increased. Moreover, clinical long-term results are as good as in other patients who are treated with UAE. Therefore, a large fibroid burden should not be considered a contraindication for UAE.     

子宫动脉栓塞治疗子宫肌瘤的临床应用研究

分析子宫动脉栓塞治疗子宫肌瘤的有效性和安全性。材料和方法：５１例子宫肌瘤行子宫通读动脉栓塞治疗,分别于栓塞后１、３、６、１２个月行Ｂ超随访肿瘤体积变化。结果：现例均无子宫坏死一严重并发症。栓塞后６个月,肿瘤体积缩小大于５０％、２０％￣５０％和小于２０％者分别为４１例（占８０．４％）、９例（１７．６％）和１例（占２％）,其中２例肿瘤全部消失。所有病例临床症状减轻或消失。４例自然受孕。结论：子宫动脉栓     

Insufficient Leiomyoma Infarction in Uterine Artery Embolization: Relationship with Tumor Location

PurposeTo evaluate which leiomyoma location in the uterus predicts insufficient tumor infarction after uterine artery embolization (UAE).Materials and MethodsIn this single-institution retrospective study, 45 patients (mean age, 43.4 y ± 4.1) underwent UAE for leiomyomas using trisacryl gelatin microspheres alone with “pruned-tree” endpoint performed by qualified interventional radiologists between October 2015 and July 2017. Technical outcomes and complications were assessed. All patients underwent unenhanced and enhanced MR imaging before and after UAE. A total of 476 tumors of ≥ 1 cm observed in all patients were evaluated. Multivariate generalized linear mixed model analysis was performed to investigate relationships between insufficient tumor infarction (< 90%) on contrast-enhanced MR imaging after UAE and baseline factors, including tumor location in the long-axis, front-back, and inner-outer directions and tumor size.ResultsAll patients successfully underwent UAE with no major complications. Multivariate analysis revealed that there was a higher likelihood of insufficient infarction of tumors at the cervix (odds ratio [OR] 80.45; 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.97, 649.09; P < .001) and lower body (OR 4.31; 95% CI 2.52, 7.38; P < .001) than at the upper body and of tumors at the front than at the back wall (OR 2.20; 95% CI 1.32, 3.67; P = .002). Tumor size (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.61, 0.82; P < .001) was a significant factor, whereas tumor location in the inner-outer direction was not.ConclusionsInsufficient leiomyoma infarction after UAE was more likely to involve tumors at the cervix, lower body, or front wall of the uterus or smaller tumors.     

Evaluation of the Effect of Routine Antibiotic Administration after Uterine Artery Embolization on Infection Rates

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of routine administration of post-procedural antibiotics following elective uterine artery embolization (UAE) on infectious complication rates.Materials and MethodsThe charts of patients who underwent UAE between January 2013 and September 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Prior to January 15, 2016, all patients received post-procedural antibiotics with 500 mg of ciprofloxacin twice a day orally for 5 days. After January 15, 2016, none of the patients received post-procedural antibiotics. All patients in both groups received pre-procedural intravenous antibiotics. The post-procedural antibiotics group included 217 patients (age, 44.7 ± 6 years); the no-antibiotics group included 158 patients (age, 45.4 ± 5.6 years). Patients in the no-antibiotics group had a significantly higher rate of diabetes mellitus (P = .03) but fewer cases of adenomyosis (P = .048). Otherwise, demographic and fibroid characteristics were similar between the groups.ResultsSix infectious complications (6/375, 1.6%) were recorded. No statistically significant difference (P = .66) was observed in the number of infections between the post-procedural antibiotics group (4/217, 1.8%) and the no-antibiotics group (2/158, 1.3%). Three of the 6 infectious complications presented with malodorous vaginal discharge (3/375, 0.8%) and received nominal therapy. The 3 remaining complications (0.8%) were considered major and included 2 patients (0.5%) who underwent hysterectomy and 1 patient (0.3%) who underwent myomectomy. The major infection rate was 0.9% (2/217) in the post-procedural antibiotics group and 0.7% (1/158) in the no-antibiotics group (P = 1). There were no 90-day post-procedural mortalities.ConclusionsDiscontinuation of routine post-procedural antibiotics with ciprofloxacin after elective UAE did not result in increased rates of infectious complications within the first 90 days post procedure.