Long-Term Follow-up of Uterine Artery Embolization for Symptomatic Adenomyosis

Introduction

Long-term results of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for adenomyosis are largely unknown. We assess long-term outcome of UAE in 40 women with adenomyosis.

Materials and methods

Between March 1999 and October 2006, 40 consecutive women with adenomyosis (22 in combination with fibroids) were treated with UAE. Changes in junction zone thickness were assessed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and again at 3?months. After a mean clinical follow-up of 65?months (median 58 [range 38–129]), women filled out the uterine fibroid symptom and quality of life (UFS-QoL) questionnaire, which had additional questions on the long-term evolution of baseline symptoms and adverse events.

Results

During follow-up, 7 of 40 women (18%) underwent hysterectomy. Among these 7 women, the junction zones were significantly thicker, both at baseline (mean 23 vs. 16?mm, P?=?0.028) and at 3-month follow-up (mean 15 vs. 9?mm, P?=?0.034). Of 33 women with preserved uterus, 29 were asymptomatic. Four patients had symptom severity scores of 50 to 85 and overall QoL scores of 60 to 66, indicating substantial clinical symptoms. There was no relation between clinical outcome and the initial presence of fibroids in addition to adenomyosis.

Conclusion

In women with therapy-resistant adenomyosis, UAE resulted in long-term preservation of the uterus in the majority. Most patients with preserved uterus were asymptomatic. The only predictor for hysterectomy during follow-up was initial thickness of the junction zone. The presence or absence of fibroids in addition to adenomyosis had no relation with the need for hysterectomy or clinical outcome.     

Uterine Artery Embolization in 101 Cases of Uterine Fibroids: Do Size, Location, and Number of Fibroids Affect Therapeutic Success and Complications?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the size, location, or number of fibroids affects therapeutic efficacy or complications of uterine artery embolization (UAE). Patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids (n = 101) were treated by selective bilateral UAE using 500- to 710-μm polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles. Baseline measures of clinical symptoms, sonography, and MRI taken before the procedure were compared to those taken 1, 3, 6, and 12 months later. Complications and outcomes were analyzed for associations with fibroid size, location, and number. Reductions in mean fibroid volume were similar in patients with single (66.6 ± 21.5%) and multiple (67.4 ± 25.0%) fibroids (p-value = 0.83). Menstrual improvement occurred in patients with single (93.3%) and multiple (72.2%) fibroids (p = 0.18). Changes in submucosal and other fibroids were not significantly different between the two groups (p’s > 0.56). Linear regression analysis between primary fibroid volume as independent variable and percentage reduction of fibroid volume after 1 year yielded an R² of 0.083 and the model coefficient was not statistically significant (p = 0.072). Multivariate regression models revealed no statistically or clinically significant coefficients or odds ratios for three independent variables (primary fibroid size, total number, and fibroid location) and all outcome variables (percent reduction of uterus and fibroid volumes in 1 year, improvement of clinical symptoms [menstrual, bulk related, and urinary] in 1 year, and complications after UAE). In conclusion, neither the success rate nor the probability of complications was affected by the primary fibroid size, location, or total number of fibroids.     

经导管子宫动脉栓塞治疗症状性子宫肌瘤的临床观察

目的:探讨经导管子宫动脉栓塞术(UAE)治疗症状性子宫肌瘤的临床疗效及副反应。方法:选择有明显临床症状的32例子宫肌瘤患者,运用Seldinger技术超选择性子宫动脉插管,以平阳霉素碘油乳剂进行栓塞,术后3个月、6个月、8个月1、2个月观察疗效。结果:32例患者在术后随访12个月,子宫体积平均缩小60.6%,肌瘤体积平均缩小76.3%。所有病例,月经恢复正常,贫血改善,压迫症状基本消失,未出现严重并发症。结论:UAE治疗症状性子宫肌瘤是一种疗效显著、安全性高的微创治疗方法。     

Uterine Artery Embolization for Symptomatic Fibroids with High Signal Intensity on T2-Weighted MR Imaging

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for treating symptomatic fibroids with high signal intensity (SI) on magnetic resonance (MR) T2-weighted imaging (T2WI).

Materials and Methods

A total of 537 cases, consisting of 14 patients with high SI fibroids on T2WI (T2 high group), were retrospectively included and compared with 28 randomly selected patients with low SI fibroids on T2WI (control group). High SI of a predominant fibroid on T2WI was defined as having the same or higher SI than the myometrium. Patient ages ranged from 28 to 52 years (mean, 38.1 years). All patients underwent MRI before and after UAE. Predominant fibroid and uterine volumes were calculated with MR images. Symptom status in terms of menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea was scored on a scale of 0-10, with 0 being no symptoms and 10 being the baseline, or initial symptoms.

Results

Of the patients in the T2 high group, 13 out of 14 (92.9%) patients demonstrated complete necrosis of the predominant fibroids. The mean volume reduction rates of the predominant fibroids in the T2 high group was 61.7% at three months after UAE, which was significantly higher than the volume reduction rates of 42.1% noted in the control group (p < 0.05). Changes in symptom scores for menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea after UAE (baseline score minus follow-up score) were 4.9 and 7.5 in T2 high group and they were 5.0 and 7.7 in control group, suggesting a significant resolution of symptoms (p < 0.01) in both groups but no significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusion

UAE is effective for uttering fibroids showing high SI on T2WI. The mean volume reduction rate of the predominant fibroids three months after UAE was greater in the T2 high group than in the control group.     

Uterine artery embolization of symptomatic uterine fibroida . Initial success and short-term results

PURPOSE: To evaluate reduction in fibroid volume, the effect on clinical symptoms, adverse events and complications after percutaneous uterine artery embolization (UAE) as primary invasive treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients entered the study. Indications for treatment were fibroid-induced menorrhagia, bulk symptoms, pain, and/or large fibroid size. The first 50 patients were evaluated by clinical examination and ultrasonography with measurement of fibroid volume before treament and 1, 6 and 12 months after UAE. The remaining 12 patients were followed 3 and 12 months after treatment. Embolization with microparticles was performed percutaneously in local analgesia by selective catheterization of both uterine arteries. RESULTS: A primary technical success with bilateral UAE was achieved in 60/62 (97%) of the patients. They were treated for postprocedural pain lasting up to 24 h. In 30 of the 62 patients with 6 months follow-up, the mean fibroid volume was reduced 68% 6 months after treatment. Twenty-nine (96%) of the patients experienced reduced bleeding, 21 (70%) reduced pain, and 18 (61%) reduced bulk symptoms at follow-up. CONCLUSION: UAE is a method with a high technical success rate. The treatment has good effect on fibroid volume reduction and clinical symptoms. Severe post-procedural pain occurs generally in successful bilateral embolizations, but complications and adverse events are otherwise few and minor. UAE represents a promising new method for treating uterine fibroid-related symptoms.     

全面认识子宫肌瘤导管栓塞治疗的现状、问题和挑战

经4～6.9年的随访证实,经导管子宫动脉栓塞(UAE)在控制症状、缩小肌瘤与子宫体积方面疗效确切,但2年后有肌瘤复发或出现新肌瘤的可能。UAE治疗子宫肌瘤总体上相当安全,但亦可出现严重并发症;UAE对正常子宫组织一般不构成损害,但对以后怀孕过程和分娩有明显影响,其原因可能与UAE后子宫缺氧、收缩乏力有关;UAE还可引起少数妇女闭经,其原因与卵巢功能受损和子宫内膜萎缩有关。目前面临的问题是如何进一步提高远期效果,减少复发以及如何改善和提高UAE的安全性。今后的主要任务是借助于动物实验与临床研究,从病理、药理、生化、内分泌及分子生物学等多个角度入手,开发效能更高、不良反应更少的栓塞剂。     

Uterine artery embolisation for symptomatic adenomyosis--mid-term results

Purpose

To evaluate the role of uterine artery embolisation (UAE) in the treatment of adenomyosis.

Materials and methods

27 women with symptomatic adenomyosis diagnosed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) underwent UAE between 1998 and 2004. Clinical evaluation using a standardised questionnaire was made at regular intervals after embolisation to assess patient outcome.

Results

The diagnosis of adenomyosis was confirmed histologically by transvaginal biopsy in 5 women. There were 14 women with associated uterine fibroids. Diffuse adenomyosis was identified in 18 women. A focal adenomyoma was present in another 8 women. In 1 patient adenomyosis was not classified. All patients except one underwent bilateral uterine artery embolisation.There was an initial favourable clinical response, with improvement of menorrhagia in 79% (13/16) of patients at 12 months.Follow-up data was available on a total of 14 patients at 2 and 3 years after embolisation. 45.5% (5/11) reported a deterioration in menorrhagia symptoms at 2 years.

Conclusion

UAE for symptomatic adenomyosis is effective in the short-term but there is a high rate of recurrence of clinical symptoms 2 year following treatment.     

Conservative two-step procedure including uterine artery embolization with embosphere and surgical myomectomy for the treatment of multiple fibroids: preliminary experience

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of combined uterine artery embolization (UAE) using embosphere and surgical myomectomy as an alternative to radical hysterectomy in premenopausal women with multiple fibroids.

Materials and methods

Mid-term clinical outcome (mean, 25 months) of 12 premenopausal women (mean age, 38 years) with multiple and large symptomatic fibroids who desired to retain their uterus and who were treated using combined UAE and surgical myomectomy were retrospectively analyzed. In all women, UAE alone was contraindicated because of large (>10 cm) or subserosal or submucosal fibroids and myomectomy alone was contraindicated because of too many (>10) fibroids.

Results

UAE and surgical myomectomy were successfully performed in all women. Myomectomy was performed using laparoscopy (n = 6), open laparotomy (n = 3), hysteroscopy (n = 2), or laparoscopy and hysteroscopy (n = 1). Mean serum hemoglobin level drop was 0.97 g/dL and no blood transfusion was needed. No immediate complications were observed and all women reported resumption of normal menses. During a mean follow-up period of 25 months (range, 14–37 months), complete resolution of initial symptoms along with decrease in uterine volume (mean, 48%) was observed in all women. No further hysterectomy was required in any woman.

Conclusion

In premenopausal women with multiple fibroids, the two-step procedure is safe and effective alternative to radical hysterectomy, which allows preserving the uterus. Further prospective studies, however, should be done to determine the actual benefit of this combined approach on the incidence of subsequent pregnancies.     

Clinical failure after uterine artery embolization: evaluation of patient and MR imaging characteristics

PURPOSE: To investigate the patient and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics associated with clinical failure after uterine artery embolization (UAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight consecutive patients who underwent UAE were examined. Contrast-enhanced MR imaging was performed before and 4 months after the procedure, and clinical follow-up was performed at 15 months. Patients were divided into success and failure groups strictly on the basis of their clinical outcomes. Clinical follow-up included evaluation of fibroid symptoms and the need for further treatment after UAE. Findings at pre- and postprocedural MR imaging were compared, and data collected included changes in uterine and fibroid volumes, fibroid location, and fibroid perfusion. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were placed into the success group and 20 into the failure group. There were no differences between the baseline characteristics of the two groups. The reduction in uterine and dominant fibroid volumes was greater in the success group compared with the failure group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (success group: [295/845] 34.9% vs [80/282.5] 28.3%, respectively, P=.18; failure group: [317/733] 43.2% vs [114/337.6] 33.9%, P=.32). The reduction in total fibroid volume was greater in the success group than the failure group ([189.6/393.5] 48.2% vs [148.7/439.9] 33.8%, respectively; P=.02) despite the fact that the percentage of fibroids completely infarcted was similar between the two groups ([136/172] 79% vs [41/50] 82%, P=.77). Pedunculated subserosal fibroids were more common in the failure group than in the success group (P<.03) and did not reduce in volume as significantly (53.8% vs 14.7%, respectively; P=.02). CONCLUSIONS: In general, the reduction in total fibroid volume after embolization is smaller in patients with poor clinical improvement. In addition, these patients have a higher number of pedunculated subserosal fibroids, and these fibroids tend to reduce in volume to a lesser extent.     

Uterine artery embolization for leiomyoma: complications and effects on fertility

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) for leiomyoma is becoming accepted as an alternative to surgical treatment. However, gynecologists who have treated follow-up patients are greatly concerned about the postoperative course after UAE. One significant complication after UAE is infection owing to obstruction resulting from the sloughing of necrotic fibroids that interfere with the passage of intrauterine discharge. In our UAE procedures, the incidence of infection requiring hospitalization was 3.6%, and one patient (0.22%) had to undergo hysterectomy. Transcervical resection (TCR) using hysteroscopy is an extremely effective surgical intervention for removing necrotic fibroids for reserve of the uterus. However, additional treatment for intrauterine abnormalities after UAE may rest on whether or not the hysteroscopic procedure was performed. Although ovarian function after UAE seems to be maintained in patients < or = 44 years of age, serious complications include intrauterine adhesions that appear as amenorrhea or hypomenorrhea and lead to infertility. The results of our hysteroscopic evaluation after UAE in 7 patients who wished to conceive was intrauterine adhesion in four patients, subendometrial liner scar in one patient, and yellowing of the endometrium in three patients. However, in spite of impairment of the endometrium, the pregnancy rate after UAE in our study was 5/10(50.0%). It is essential that the indications of UAE for patients who wish to conceive be decided according to careful individual evaluation, and cautious follow-up is necessary.     

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.     

Clinical Long-term Outcome after Uterine Artery Embolization: Sustained Symptom Control and Improvement of Quality of Life

PurposeTo evaluate long-term clinical efficacy of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for uterine fibroids with respect to symptom control and improvement in quality of life.Materials and MethodsBetween October 2000 and October 2007, 380 consecutive women underwent UAE. To determine long-term efficacy, the rate of reinterventions (ie, repeat UAE, hysterectomy, myomectomy) and the clinical response regarding symptoms related to bleeding and bulk were documented. Persistence, worsening, or recurrence of symptoms and reinterventions were classified as treatment failure (TF). The cumulative rate of freedom from TF was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox regression was used to identify possible clinical or morphologic predictors of outcome. Secondary outcome measures were changes in disease-specific quality of life and onset of menopause.ResultsFollow-up was available for a median of 5.7 years (range, 3.1–10.1 y) after treatment in 304 of 380 (80%) patients. There were 54 TFs with subsequent reintervention in 46 women. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a cumulative TF rate of 23.3% after 10 years. Cox regression demonstrated a significantly higher likelihood of TF in patients<40 years old compared with patients>45 years old (hazard ratio, 2.28; P = .049). Women without TF showed sustained normalization of disease-specific quality of life (P <.001). Cessation of menstruation at a median age of 51 years was reported by 57 (22.8%) of 250 women.ConclusionsUAE leads to long-term control of fibroid-related symptoms and normalization of quality of life in approximately 75% of patients. Younger women seem to have a higher risk of TF than older women closer to menopause.     

Mid-term Clinical Results and Patient Satisfaction After Uterine Artery Embolization in Women with Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids

Purpose To evaluate the mid-term clinical results and patient satisfaction following uterine artery embolization (UAE) in women with symptomatic fibroids. Methods Between August 1998 and December 2002, 135 patients had UAE for symptomatic uterine fibroids. All patients were asked to fill in a questionnaire. Questions were aimed at changes in bleeding, pain, and bulk-related symptoms. Symptoms after UAE were scored as disappeared, improved, unchanged or worsened. Adverse events were noted, such as vaginal dryness and discharge, menopausal complaints or fibroid expulsion. Patient satisfaction after UAE was assessed. Patient satisfaction of women embolized with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles was compared with satisfaction of women embolized with calibrated microspheres. Results The questionnaire was returned by 110 of 135 women (81%) at a median time interval of 14 months following UAE. In 10 women additional embolization or hysterectomy had been performed. Of the 110 responders, 86 (78%) were satisfied with the result of UAE. The proportion of satisfied women was higher in the group embolized with calibrated microspheres than in women embolized with PVA, although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.053). Conclusion UAE in women with symptomatic uterine fibroids leads to improvement of symptoms and patient satisfaction is good in the vast majority after a median follow-up period of 14 months.     

Volumetric MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound versus uterine artery embolisation for treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids: comparison of symptom improvement and reintervention rates

Purpose

To compare the effectiveness of magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) with that of uterine artery embolisation (UAE) for treatment of uterine fibroids.

Methods

Between January 2010 and January 2013, 51 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids underwent MR-HIFU. Follow-up and MR imaging were compared to 68 women treated with UAE, who fulfilled eligibility criteria for MR-HIFU – e.g., size (≤ 12 cm) and number (≤ 5) of fibroids. We compared median symptom severity (tSSS), total health-realted quality of life (HRQoL) scores, and reintervention rates. The adjusted effect on symptom relief and HRQoL improvement was calculated using multivariable linear regression. Cox regression was applied to calculate the adjusted risk of reintervention between both treatments.

Results

Median tSSS improved significantly from baseline to three-month follow-up (P?P?P?P?=?0.002) times higher risk of reintervention within 12 months (18/51 vs. 3/68).

Conclusion

Both MR-HIFU and UAE result in significant symptom relief related to uterine fibroids. However, MR-HIFU is associated with a higher risk of reintervention.

Key Points

? This study compared outcomes between volumetric MR-HIFU and UAE for uterine fibroids. ? Both MR-HIFU and UAE result in significant symptom relief and quality of life improvement. ? UAE had a stronger positive effect on the clinical outcomes. ? Reintervention rate after MR-HIFU ablation was significantly higher than after UAE.     

Treatment failure after uterine artery embolization: prospective cohort study with multifactorial analysis of possible predictors of long-term outcome

Purpose

To evaluate the impact of baseline characteristics and residual leiomyoma perfusion after uterine artery embolization (UAE) on clinical long-term outcome.

Materials and methods

One hundred fifteen patients underwent UAE. All patients were divided into three groups according to achieved infarction rate determined on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging within 48–72 h after UAE (I: 100%, n = 60; II: 90–99%, n = 32; and III: 0–89%, n = 23). Treatment failure and subsequent re-interventions (surgery, repeat UAE) were assessed for each group and compared using Cox regression analysis (CRA) with respect to the following baseline variables: age, uterine and dominant fibroid volume, number of fibroids, location of largest fibroid, and clinical symptoms.

Results

Long-term follow-up was completed after a median of 7.2 years (range 5.1–9.6) with a response rate of 84%. CRA revealed that patients in group III had a 22.2-fold higher risk (p < 0.001) of treatment failure than patients in group I, whereas groups I and II did not differ significantly (p = 0.578). For patients with bleeding-related symptoms only, CRA showed a 5.1-fold higher risk (p = 0.025) of treatment failure than for patients with equally dominant bleeding- and bulk-related symptoms. A 40.5-fold higher likelihood (p < 0.001) of treatment failure was observed for patients in group III with bleeding-related symptoms only compared to those in group I with combined bleeding- and bulk-related symptoms.

Conclusion

Incomplete fibroid infarction after UAE is strongly associated with the risk of experiencing treatment failure. Patients with bleeding-related complaints only face the highest likelihood of treatment failure if UAE results in less than 90% fibroid devascularization.     

Inferior Mesenteric Artery Collaterals to the Uterus during Uterine Artery Embolization: Prevalence,Risk Factors,and Clinical Outcomes

PurposeTo evaluate the prevalence of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) collaterals to the uterus found during uterine artery embolization (UAE), associated risk factors, and clinical outcomes.Materials and MethodsThe records of 559 women who underwent UAE during the period 2008–2011 for uterine fibroids or adenomyosis found on magnetic resonance imaging were retrospectively analyzed. If IMA collaterals to the uterus were suspected on aortography performed after embolization, selective angiography was performed. Risk factors for IMA collaterals to the uterus were analyzed, including the presence of adenomyosis, baseline uterine volume, or prior pelvic surgery.ResultsCollaterals to the uterus were found from the ovarian artery (n = 21; 3.8%), IMA (n = 7; 1.3%), round ligament artery (n = 1; 0.2%), and internal pudendal artery (n = 1; 0.2%). IMA collaterals were found in seven patients. Of 185 patients, 6 (3.2%) had adenomyosis, with or without fibroids, which was significantly more frequent than the 1 (0.27%) of 374 patients who had fibroids only (P = .006). On multiple logistic regression analysis, the presence of adenomyosis (odds ratio, 19.556; P = .0168) and uterine volume (odds ratio, 1.003; P = .0069) were independent factors for the presence of IMA collaterals. Of the seven patients with IMA collaterals, embolization was not attempted in six, resulting in clinical failure in four. One patient who underwent IMA embolization with coils experienced clinical improvement.ConclusionsThe IMA was the second most common (1.3%) source of collaterals to the uterus. IMA collaterals were more frequent in patients with adenomyosis than in patients with fibroids only, resulting in high frequency of treatment failure.     

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) for diffuse leiomyomatosis of the uterus: clinical and imaging results

Purpose

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of uterine artery embolization (UAE) in the management of diffuse uterine leiomyomatosis with mid-term follow-up.

Materials and methods

All patients who underwent UAE between 2008 and 2010 for symptomatic fibroids were analyzed. Among 360 cases, a total of 7 patients with diffuse uterine leiomyomatosis diagnosed based on MRI were included in this retrospective study. Patient ages ranged from 29 to 38 (mean 32.7) years. The median follow-up period was 16 (range; 6–31) months. The embolic agent was non-spherical polyvinyl alcohol particles. All patients underwent follow-up MRI at 3 months after UAE. Uterine volumes were calculated using MRI. Menorrhagia symptom changes were assessed at mid-term follow-up.

Results

There were no technical failures to catheterize the uterine artery and no adverse events requiring therapy after UAE. Contrast-enhanced MRI showed complete necrosis of the leiomyomatous nodules in 5 patients (71%) 3 months after embolization. Two patients (28%) showed mostly leiomyomatous nodules that were necrotized, some of which were still viable. All 7 patients with menorrhagia had improvement of symptoms at the mid-term follow-up. The initial mean uterine volume was 601.30 ± 533.92 cm³ and was decreased to a mean of 278.81 ± 202.70 cm³ at 3 months follow-up, for a mean uterus volume reduction rate of 50.1% (p < 0.05). One patient became pregnant 5 months after UAE treatment.

Conclusion

UAE was a highly effective treatment for diffuse uterine leiomyomatosis with mid-term durability and may be a valuable alternative to hysterectomy.     

Long-term results of symptomatic fibroids treated with uterine artery embolization: In conjunction with MR evaluation

Objective

The aim of the present study is to determine long-term clinical efficacy of uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) for symptomatic fibroids in conjunction with MR evaluation.

Materials and methods

Sixteen patients with a follow-up period of 4 years or longer were analyzed retrospectively. Ages ranged from 27 to 45 (mean 39.5) years. Mean follow-up periods were 5.8 years (range: 4.1-6.9 years). The symptom changes, in terms of menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea and bulk-related symptoms, were assessed. The primary embolic agent was polyvinyl alcohol particle (250-710 μm). All patients underwent preprocedural and long-term follow up MR imaging. Uterine volumes were calculated using MRI.

Results

Symptom improvements were reported for menorrhagia (8/9, 88.9%), dysmenorrhea (5/5, 100%), and bulk-related symptoms (7/9, 77.8%) at long-term follow up. Two patients (12.5%) had symptom recurrences at long-term follow-up. Tumor regrowth from incomplete infarction was a cause of recurrence in one patient and newly developed leiomyomas in the other one.One patient underwent hysterectomy because endometriosis developed 4 years after UFE.Of the 14 necrotic myomas on short-term follow up MR after UFE, eight (57.1%) demonstrated maintaining necrosis with further shrinkage and six (42.9%) were no longer visualized on long-term follow up MR images. Overall, the mean volume reduction rates of the predominant fibroid and uterus were 80.5%, 36.7% at long-term follow up, respectively.

Conclusion

UFE is an effective treatment for symptomatic fibroids with an acceptable long-term success rate. Long-term MR imaging after UFE revealed persistent necrotic fibroid, non-visualization of fibroids and tumor regrowth when incompletely infarcted.     

Outcome of uterine artery embolization versus MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment for uterine fibroids: Long-term results

Objectives

To compare the long-term outcome after uterine artery embolization (UAE) versus magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-g HIFU) for symptomatic uterine fibroids.

Methods

Seventy-seven women (median age, 39.3 years; range, 29.2–52.2 years) with symptomatic uterine fibroids, equally eligible for UAE and MR-g HIFU based on our exclusion criteria underwent treatment (UAE, N = 41; MR-g HIFU, N = 36) from 2002 to 2009 at our institution. Symptom severity (SS) and total health-related quality of life (Total HRQoL) scores were assessed by the uterine fibroid symptom and quality of life (UFS-QoL) questionnaire before treatment and at long-term follow-up after UAE (median 61.9 months) and after MR-g HIFU (median: 60.7 months). Re-intervention rates were assessed for each therapy and compared.

Results

Re-intervention was significantly lower after UAE (12.2%) than after MR-g HIFU (66.7%) at long-term follow-up (p < 0.001). After UAE changes in SS (50 pre-treatment vs. 6.3 post-treatment) and Total HRQoL (57.8 pre-treatment vs. 100 post-treatment) were significantly better than changes in SS (42.2 pre-treatment vs. 26.6 post-treatment) and Total HRQoL score (66.4 pre-treatment vs. 87.9 post-treatment) after MR-g HIFU (p = 0.019 and 0.049 respectively).

Conclusions

Improvement of SS and Total HRQoL scores was significantly better after UAE resulting in a significant lower re-intervention rate compared to MR-g HIFU.     

Uterine Artery Embolization for the Treatment of Adenomyosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The effect of uterine artery embolization (UAE) on symptomatic adenomyosis was evaluated in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Four groups were evaluated: short-term (< 12 months) pure adenomyosis, short-term adenomyosis with fibroids (combined adenomyosis), long-term (> 12 months) pure adenomyosis, and long-term combined adenomyosis. Improvement of symptoms occurred in 83.1% (872/1,049) of patients. Reported symptom reduction was 4.8% greater in the short-term combined group (P = .169) and 11.4% greater in the long-term combined group (P = .003). Uterine volume was reduced in all patients at 3 months. The effects of UAE on symptom improvement and uterine volume reduction in patients with adenomyosis are encouraging.