Magnetic resonance imaging outcome after uterine artery embolization for leiomyomata with use of tris-acryl gelatin microspheres

PURPOSE: To determine the imaging outcome after uterine artery embolization (UAE) with use of tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (Embospheres). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of magnetic resonance (MR) images was performed comparing studies completed 3-4 months after UAE to those performed before UAE. Twenty-three patients with 61 leiomyomata (as many as three fibroids per patient) were examined. Orthogonal T2, axial T1-weighted fat-saturated, sagittal T2 fast spin-echo, and dynamic T1-weighted sagittal images after Gadolinium injection were analyzed. Two abdominal imaging specialists examined the volume and uterine and leiomyoma perfusion. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for inferences in leiomyoma size difference, infarction, and volume of fibroid tissue perfused. RESULTS: Median volume of all leiomyomata (n = 61) decreased by 52% (P <.001). For dominant fibroids alone (n = 23), a median 52% volume decrease (P <.001) was also noted, whereas the median uterine volume decreased 32%. Median perfused volume of all fibroids decreased from 31 mL to 0 mL, signifying a 100% decrease (P <.001). For dominant fibroids, a 100% median perfused volume decrease from 116 mL to 0 mL was noted (P <.001). Fifty-two of 61 fibroids (85%) and 20 of 23 dominant fibroids (87%) were completely devascularized and two fibroids disappeared. There was no myometrial ischemia identified. CONCLUSIONS: Tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (Embospheres) are an effective embolic agent for UAE, causing infarction and significant decrease in leiomyoma volume.     

Intraarterial lidocaine for pain control after uterine artery embolization for leiomyomata

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of intraarterial lidocaine in controlling pain after uterine artery embolization (UAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this double-blind prospective study, patients undergoing UAE received preservative-free 1% lidocaine or saline solution (control) in the uterine arteries before embolization. Postprocedural pain was managed with patient-controlled intravenous morphine. Attempted doses, number of doses received, total morphine dose, and maximum pain numeric rating scale (NRS) score during the postprocedural hospitalization were recorded and compared. Three-month follow-up magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and symptomatic questionnaires were collected and compared. RESULTS: Ten patients received lidocaine and eight patients received placebo. Moderate to severe vasospasm was noted in seven patients after lidocaine injection, whereas no vasospasm was noted in the placebo group (P =.004). Patients in the lidocaine group had lower NRS pain scores than those in the placebo group (P =.012), whereas there was no difference in morphine requirement between treated patients and control subjects. The study was terminated after 18 patients were treated as a result of unexpected vasospasm. CONCLUSIONS: Intraarterial 1% lidocaine is associated with moderate to severe vasospasm. Lidocaine significantly lowers subjective pain, but there is no difference in analgesic requirements. The routine use of intraarterial lidocaine is not recommended for pain control until the long-term effects of vasospasm on outcome is known.     

Initial experience with use of tris-acryl gelatin microspheres for uterine artery embolization for leiomyomata

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and effectiveness of tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (Embospheres) in the treatment of leiomyomata by uterine artery embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a Phase I study of 30 patients with symptomatic leiomyomata. Each patient underwent ultrasound imaging and completed questionnaires regarding symptoms and health status at baseline and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Bilateral embolization was performed with use of tris-acryl gelatin microspheres. Summary statistics were used to characterize the demographic and procedure data. Paired t-tests were used to assess change in the severity of menstrual bleeding and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Bilateral embolization was technically successful in all patients. Three months after treatment, menstrual bleeding was markedly improved as assessed by menorrhagia questionnaire (P <.0001) and menstrual calendar (P <.0001). Pelvic pain and discomfort was improved in 92% of cases. Physical component summary scores of the SF-12 also increased from baseline at 3 months (P =.02) and at 6 months (P =.01). Minor complications occurred in nine patients; there were no major complications. CONCLUSION: Although limited, this initial experience suggests that tris-acryl gelatin microspheres are an effective and safe embolic agent for the treatment of uterine leiomyomata.     

Uterine artery embolization for leiomyomata: resource use and cost estimation

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to provide an assessment of the facility cost associated with uterine artery embolization (UAE) for leiomyomata and to provide a basis for the estimation of cost so as to compare UAE with surgical approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information was gathered from the clinical/accounting system for 23 patients who had UAE performed at a single institution. Cost-to-charge ratios and microcosting were employed to derive cost estimates. A detailed meta-analysis was also performed on the resource use parameters reported in the literature. RESULTS: Facility costs range from 2,058 dollars to 4,951 dollars and the mean total cost is 3,080 dollars. The radiology procedure and observation stay are the largest contributors to facility cost. The average length of stay is 21.5 hours with a range from 8 hours to 48 hours. The estimates from this analysis provide a good approximation of facility cost; there are no significant differences in resource use between this study and the meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The facility cost of UAE (3,080 dollars) compares favorably with hysterectomy, the cost of which ranges from 3,100 dollars to 4,900 dollars depending on the type of procedure performed. This cost information can be used to analyze the cost effectiveness of UAE compared to alternate therapies.     

Uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine leiomyomata midterm results.

INTRODUCTION: The authors review their midterm experience with uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine fibroids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients were referred for permanent polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foam particle uterine artery embolization during an 18-month period. Detailed clinical follow-up and ultrasound follow-up were obtained. RESULTS: Bleeding was a presenting symptom in 56 patients and pain was a presenting symptom in 47 patients. All patients underwent a technically successful embolization. One of the patients underwent unilateral embolization. Fifty-nine patients underwent bilateral embolization. Of all patients undergoing bilateral embolization, at last follow-up (mean, 16.3 months), 81% had their uterus and had moderate or better improvement in their symptoms. Ninety-two percent of these patients also had reductions in uterine and dominant fibroid volumes. Overall, the mean uterine and dominant fibroid volume reduction were 42.8% and 48.8%, respectively (mean follow-up, 10.2 months). One infectious complication that necessitated hysterectomy occurred. CONCLUSION: Uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine fibroids is a minimally invasive technique with low complication rates and very good clinical efficacy.     

Estimated costs for uterine artery embolization and abdominal myomectomy for uterine leiomyomata: a comparative study at a single institution

PURPOSE: To determine and compare the costs associated with uterine artery embolization (UAE) and abdominal myomectomy for the treatment of symptomatic leiomyomata. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Charge information was gathered and analyzed from 23 patients who underwent UAE and 17 who underwent abdominal myomectomy in a single institution. The mean charges for each procedure were calculated from the patients' billing data. Cost-to-charge ratios were applied to the mean charges to estimate costs. The work relative value units (RVUs) for all physician services for each procedure were calculated. These total work RVUs for each intervention were multiplied by the appropriate Medicare conversion factors to estimate a uniform physician fee. These costs were totaled and compared with use of the unpaired t test to estimate the cost difference between UAE and abdominal myomectomy. RESULTS: The estimated hospital cost for UAE was $3,193, which was significantly lower than the $5,598 estimated for abdominal myomectomy (P <.0001). The discrepancy was caused primarily by increased hospital care and operating room costs for abdominal myomectomy. The total professional costs were significantly higher for UAE ($2,220) than for abdominal myomectomy ($1,611) (P =.002). When all associated costs, including typical imaging costs, were considered, there was a trend toward lower costs for UAE ($6,708) compared to abdominal myomectomy ($7,630) (P =.086). CONCLUSION: UAE had lower procedure-related costs than abdominal myomectomy despite higher physician costs. When typical imaging costs were included, there was still a trend toward lower costs for UAE.     

Treatment of intrauterine and large pedunculated subserosal leiomyomata with sequential uterine artery embolization and myomectomy

Successful clinical outcomes were obtained after a combined therapy of uterine artery embolization (UAE) and subsequent myomectomy for gigantic subserosal leiomyoma exceeding 1,000 cm3 in volume on a short stalk and multiple intrauterine leiomyomata in young patients who desired fertility and uterine preservation. UAE effectively treated symptomatic multiple intramural and submucosal leiomyomata for menorrhagia symptoms, which also facilitated uncomplicated subsequent myomectomy with devascularized gigantic leiomyoma for the treatment of bulk symptoms.     

Fatal sepsis after uterine artery embolization with microspheres

A case report of fatal sepsis after uterine artery embolization (UAE) with microspheres is presented. At autopsy, microspheres were found not only in arteries in the leiomyomata and myometrium but also in the parametria and the vagina, leading to a necrotic vaginal wall and uterine cervix. At present, polyvinyl alcohol particles are usually used in UAE. Recently, study results of the use of microspheres in embolization procedures have become available. The rationale for the choice of a specific embolization particle and the clinical implications of possible sepsis after UAE are discussed.     

子宫动脉栓塞对子宫腺肌病患者卵巢功能的影响

目的评价子宫动脉平阳霉素碘油乳剂栓塞对子宫腺肌病患者卵巢功能的影响。方法对33例子宫腺肌病患者用平阳霉素碘油乳剂进行子宫动脉栓塞,并检测栓塞前和栓塞后第1、3、6和12个月的患者以及45例正常体检女性(对照组)同期血中的雌二醇(E2)、卵泡刺激素(FSH)、黄体生成素(LH)和催乳素(PRL)水平,其后对两组结果作比较研究。结果栓塞前33例患者的FSH、LH、E2水平与正常对照组差异无显著性(P>0.05),而PRL水平高于正常对照组(P<0.05);栓塞术后1、3、6和12个月的患者FSH、LH、E2皆与术前无显著性差异(P>0.05),但PRL水平较栓塞前明显下降(P<0.05)。结论子宫动脉平阳霉素碘乳剂栓塞治疗子宫腺肌病并不影响患者的卵巢功能,且有利于降低患者的PRL水平。     

经导管子宫动脉栓塞治疗子宫肌瘤并发闭经的原因分析

目的 探讨经导管子宫动脉栓塞（TUAE）治疗子宫肌瘤并发闭经的原因。方法 搜集1999年4月至2004年5月，接受TUAE治疗的子宫肌瘤患者231例，年龄29～51岁，平均39．5岁。TUAE均采用经导管双侧子宫动脉注射碘油-平阳霉素乳剂的方式，其中碘油用量6～20ml，平阳霉素用量8～16mg，231例中186例加用明胶海绵颗粒果栓塞。结 231例中2例分别于TUAE后3和4个月发生闭经，发生率0．87％。1例考虑为卵巢功能受损引起的闭经，表现为雌二醇（E2）下降，促卵泡成熟激素（FSH）增高，经过1年的雌孕激素序贯治疗，患者月经逐渐恢复正常；另1例经宫腔镜证实为子宫内膜萎缩所致。结论 TUAE后极少数人可发生闭经，其原因与卵巢功能受损及子宫内膜萎缩有关。