Real-time I-MR-imaging--guided cryoablation of uterine fibroids.

In an ongoing prospective clinical trial, two patients with large, symptomatic uterine fibroids were treated with percutaneous magnetic resonance (MR)-imaging--guided cryoablation. Patients were followed with serial MR imaging studies and clinical evaluation according to Institutional Review Board protocol. Short-term imaging and clinical data were collected to assess the effects of the therapy. Both patients confirmed a significant reduction or elimination of their symptoms at 2 weeks after cryoablation. Measurements obtained from MR imaging performed after cryoablation documented a 65% and 53% reduction in each patient's fibroid volume at 8 weeks. Early clinical and imaging results confirm MR-imaging--guided cryoablation was effective at reducing or relieving these two patients' symptoms related to uterine fibroids and post-cryoablation imaging confirmed a significant reduction in fibroid volume.     

Understanding the role of clergy in African American organ and tissue donation decision-making

Objectives. To describe and understand the attitudes, beliefs, and experiences towards organ and tissue donation among African American clergy in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The secondary objective is to understand what messages clergy are providing to their parishioners relative to organ and tissue donation, and what their perceived role is in donation education.

Design. A qualitative study in which African American clergy (n=26) participated in four focus groups.

Results. African American clergy, though generally supportive of organ and tissue donation in principle, have serious reservations about donation due to perceived inequalities in the donation and transplantation system. The clergy did not personally hold religious concerns about donation, but expressed that these concerns were a major barrier to donation among their parishioners. None of the clergy knew the written position that their religion took on donation; they acknowledged the need for more education for them and their parishioners on this topic. They also felt that as religious leaders, they could play an important role in promoting organ and tissue donation among African American parishioners.

Conclusions. African American clergy and religious leaders may play an important role towards improving willingness to donate among African American parishioners, but more education and advocacy is needed to prepare them for this role.