Myoma expulsion after uterine artery embolization

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) has become a standard therapy in the treatment of symptomatic uterine myomas. The procedure is associated with a few complications. One of them is myoma expulsion. A 32-year-old woman was sent to our hospital with diagnosed intramural myoma with dysmenorrhea and pressure symptoms. UAE was performed since the patient preferred conservative treatment. The procedure was without any complications. Three weeks after embolization, she was readmitted because of vaginal discharge and minor bleeding. We diagnosed expulsion of necrotic myoma and performed transvaginal resection. Four months later, the patient is symptom free. Expulsion of intramural myoma can be thus considered as definite treatment and not a complication of embolization therapy.     

Ovarian function after uterine artery embolization and hysterectomy

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of uterine artery embolization (UAE) and hysterectomy on ovarian function. DESIGN: Prospective case control study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Eighty-four healthy premenopausal women with symptomatic uterine myoma(s) undergoing UAE or hysterectomy. INTERVENTION: Patients had blood drawn to measure follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2) levels and underwent transvaginal ultrasound to measure volume of the myoma(s) and uterus on cycle day 3 before the procedures. These measurements were repeated 3 and 6 months after treatment. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The main outcome was the differences in serum FSH, LH, E2, and ultrasound findings before and after UAE or hysterectomy. Of the 68 patients who underwent UAE and 16 who underwent hysterectomy, 48 and 13 respectively, completed 6-month follow-up. The mean age of the patients in the UAE group was 44.9 +/- 3.8 years and 43.7 +/- 5.6 years in the hysterectomy group. There was no significant difference in serum FSH before (8.9 +/- 0.7 IU/L) and 6 months after UAE (9.9 +/- 1.0 lU/L), and between the baseline (10.4 +/- 1.8 lU/L) and 6 months posthysterectomy (7.8 +/- 1.8 lU/L). The uterine volume 6 months after UAE (361 +/- 50 mL) was significantly smaller than before UAE(538 +/- 38mL; p =.005, 95% CI 44-241). Compared with baseline (154 +/- 20 mL), the dominant myoma volume was smaller at 6 months after UAE (97 +/- 16 mL; p <.05, 95% CI 1.57-62). CONCLUSION: Uterine artery embolization is associated with a significant reduction in myoma and uterine volume. Ovarian function at 6 months, as indicated by day 3 FSH levels, is not affected by UAE or hysterectomy.     

Ischemic uterine rupture and hysterectomy 3 months after uterine artery embolization

The exact frequency and extent of complications after uterine artery embolization (UAE) have yet to be documented in the literature. Ischemic necrosis and rupture of the uterus is a theoretical concern of this procedure. Rupture of the uterus from any cause is a very serious gynecologic complication requiring immediate surgical intervention to prevent death. Ischemic necrosis and rupture of the uterus can occur months after UAE. In our patient they occurred 3 months after UAE for treatment of symptomatic uterine myomas, and required hysterectomy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ischemic uterine rupture after UAE in the United States.     

Long-term follow up after uterine artery embolization for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas

Uterine artery embolization is one of the established treatment options for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas, with a proven effect on the size of leiomyomas and providing short-term relief of symptoms. Only few studies have addressed long-term satisfaction with the treatment. We conducted a historical cohort study of 96 patients. The patients were treated at a median age of 43years (range 23-59years). The median size of the largest myoma was 69mm (range 20-170mm). By use of a postal questionnaire (response rate 86%) and audit of patient files, we found that 53% reported full recovery of symptoms and 36% some effect on symptoms after a median of 8.9years (range 8-9.4years). Overall, 25% of the women reported a need for further treatment. The rate of eventual hysterectomy was 22%. We confirm that uterine artery embolization is a safe and well-tolerated procedure with a high long-term satisfaction rate.     

子宫动脉栓塞治疗子宫肌瘤的疗效和并发症分析

目的　探讨选择性子宫动脉栓塞治疗子宫肌瘤的临床疗效和并发症的发生情况。方法　 2 0 0 0年 10月～ 2 0 0 2年 5月选择 4 0例子宫肌瘤患者用PVA颗粒做栓塞剂行子宫动脉栓塞 ,栓塞后定期评价临床疗效和并发症 ,彩超监测子宫和最大肌瘤体积。根据SCVIR制订的并发症分级系统 ,评价并发症的严重性。结果　4 0例患者行子宫动脉栓塞 ,平均随访 18 9个月 ,97%临床症状改善。子宫和最大肌瘤体积平均缩小 4 3 8%和6 3 5 %。栓塞前子宫和最大肌瘤体积的中位数为 2 4 3 4cm3和 14 8cm3,栓塞后 6个月中位数为 10 7 1cm3和4 1 1cm3,(P <0 0 0 1)。 88 5 %的并发症为A、B级 ,1例 (2 5 % )D级并发症为阴道排瘤继发感染再入院治疗。7例 (17 5 % )较严重的栓塞后综合征。 1例 (2 5 % ) 2年后复发。 4例 (10 0 % )卵巢功能衰竭 ,发生在栓塞后2～ 18个月。 2 0例 (5 0 0 % )患者阴道排液。 92 5 %患者对治疗的结局表示满意。结论　子宫动脉栓塞治疗子宫肌瘤能有效的改善症状 ,缩小瘤体 ,失败率低 ,严重并发症少。术前严格选择适应症 ,术后预防感染是降低并发症的关键。     

Leiomyosarcoma in a premenopausal patient after uterine artery embolization

A premenopausal 45-year-old woman underwent uterine artery embolization for suspected symptomatic leiomyomata. Fourteen months later, with renewed symptoms and a new pelvic mass, metastatic leiomyosarcoma was diagnosed. A lack of clinical response to a technically successful embolization should alert care providers that further evaluation and/or therapy is needed.     

Laparoscopic myomectomy after failure of uterine artery embolization.

A patient experienced continuing pain and growth of a broad-based pedunculated myoma 6 months after uterine artery embolization (UAE). A 7-cm myoma was found growing directly from the serosa of the fallopian tube and was removed laparoscopically. To our knowledge, this is the first report of laparoscopic myomectomy performed after failure of UAE. This case identifies one of the predictable limitations of UAE of which gynecologists must be cognizant when recommending the procedure.     

Leiomyosarcoma after uterine artery embolization. A case report

BACKGROUND: Hysterectomy is the most common treatment for relieving symptoms attributable to uterine leiomyomas; however, alternatives to hysterectomy are becoming increasingly available. Uterine artery embolization is being used more frequently in this clinical setting. CASE: A leiomyosarcoma was diagnosed incidentally in a 51-year-old, nulliparous woman who underwent uterine artery embolization for symptomatic leiomyomata and subsequent total abdominal hysterectomy/bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy due to unsatisfactory results of the embolization procedure. CONCLUSION: While the occurrence of preoperatively undiagnosed uterine leiomyosarcomas among patients undergoing hysterectomies has been reported, there are no reports of unsuspected leiomyosarcomas after uterine artery embolization. Criteria for selection of patients for the procedure should consider the possibility of leiomyosarcoma. With the increasing popularity of uterine artery embolization, cases like this are likely to be encountered in the future.     

A uterine cavity-myoma communication after uterine artery embolization: two case reports

OBJECTIVE: To report two cases of uterine cavity-myoma fistula as a medical complication after uterine artery embolization. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Women's Medical Center/Viscomi Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil. PATIENT(S): Two patients presenting with symptomatic myomatous uterus: a 40-year-old woman with increased abdominal volume and hypermenorrhea, and a 42-year-old woman with pelvic pain and infertility. INTERVENTION(S): Uterine artery embolization, hysteroscopic follow-up, and laparoscopic myomectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Hysteroscopic follow-up after uterine artery embolization. RESULT(S): The patients underwent uterine artery embolization. In the months that followed, a subsequent surgical hysteroscopic follow-up was performed to eliminate the necrotic material of the degenerated myomas. The two patients presented the same outcome 1 year after the uterine artery embolization had been performed: a communication between the uterine cavity and a degenerated myoma. Laparoscopic correction of the uterine wall defect was performed afterward. CONCLUSION(S): Because embolization is a growing option for the treatment of leiomyoma, it is important that potential complications be reported, especially if the patients want to become pregnant. The natural history of the fistula and its consequences are unknown, and physicians should be aware of these complications. Hysteroscopic follow-up was important in the diagnosis of the two cases.