Fibroids treated by uterine artery embolization

Abstract

An increasing number of reports indicate that uterine fibroids can be successfully treated with uterine artery embolization (UAE). UAE seems to be a promising treatment for women who want to retain their uterus. This review summarizes the technical considerations and the results. UAE is a radiological procedure using angiography for visualization of the blood circulation. Subsequently, the flow through the uterine arteries is blocked resulting in infarction of fibroids. Success rates of 87% have been achieved with an average 57% reduction of fibroid volume. Complications have been few compared to hysterectomy and patient satisfaction is high. However, none of the reports include controls. Further studies are needed to optimize patient selection and to evaluate long-term results.

Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Treatment for Uterine Fibroids: First Study in Indian Women

“…A variety of symptoms are associated with fibroids including pelvic pain, heavy and prolonged menstrual flow, abdominal pressure, urinary frequency, and infertility, thereby significantly affecting quality of life. [1–3] The standard for surgical treatment of fibroids is myomectomy or hysterectomy,[4] with less invasive treatments being hormonal therapy, uterine artery embolization (UAE), and magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS). [4–7] The benefits of these minimally invasive strategies are that they spare the uterus,[8] require minimal or no hospitalization, reduce complication rates, treatment costs, and recovery time.…”

“…[1–3] The standard for surgical treatment of fibroids is myomectomy or hysterectomy,[4] with less invasive treatments being hormonal therapy, uterine artery embolization (UAE), and magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS). [4–7] The benefits of these minimally invasive strategies are that they spare the uterus,[8] require minimal or no hospitalization, reduce complication rates, treatment costs, and recovery time. [910] However, myomectomy and UAE are preferable to hysterectomy as they minimize recovery time.…”

Successful Magnetic Resonance Imaging‐Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery for Recurrent Uterine Fibroid Previously Treated with Uterine Artery Embolization

“…Surgical treatments for uterine fibroids include hysterectomy and myomectomy [6]. Minimally invasive or noninvasive treatments include uterine artery embolization (UAE), magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS), and hormonal therapy [6–9].…”

“…Minimally invasive or noninvasive treatments include uterine artery embolization (UAE), magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS), and hormonal therapy [6–9]. Each of these treatment options, which require minimal or no hospitalization, enables women to preserve their uteri [10] and usually minimize complications, recovery time, and treatment costs [11, 12].…”

Uterine artery embolization as a treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids: A review of literature and case report

“…Their prevalence in women of childbearing age varies from 20% to 50% (Smith, Upton, Shuster, Klein, & Schwartz, 2004) to upward of 77% (Lund, Justesen, Elle, Thomsen, & Floridon, 2000), with increased frequency in African Americans. Risk factors for uterine fibroids include a positive family history, nulliparity, and obesity (Lund et al, 2000). Fibroid tumors are the most frequent benign condition of the female genital tract and cause numerous symptoms that negatively impact women’s health‐related quality of life.…”