TY - JOUR
T1 - Preliminary experience with uterine artery embolization for uterine fibroids
AU - Goodwin, Scott C.
AU - Vedantham, Suresh
AU - McLucas, Bruce
AU - Forno, Alice E.
AU - Perrella, Rita
PY - 1997
Y1 - 1997
N2 - PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential usefulness of transcatheter uterine artery embolization as a treatment for fibroid-related vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain refractory to hormonal therapy and myomectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients (aged 27-55 years; mean, 44.2 years; none desiring future pregnancy) with refractory vaginal bleeding and/or chronic pelvic pain related to uterine leiomyomata underwent uterine artery embolization with use of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles. Clinical improvement was assessed by detailed questionnaire at 2-9 months (mean, 5.8 months) after the procedure. Sonographic measurements of the uterus and dominant masses were obtained before and at 2 months after the procedure. RESULTS: All 11 patients underwent technically successful embolization. Eight of nine women who completed the follow-up questionnaire reported noticeable symptomatic improvement, including three women with complete resolution of symptoms. One woman (the only patient undergoing unilateral embolization) exhibited no clinical response. Another patient developed endometritis and pyometra 3 weeks after the procedure, necessitating hysterectomy. Large reductions in uterine volume (average, 40%) and dominant fibroid size (average, 60%-65%) were sonographically demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Uterine artery embolization represents a promising new method of treating fibroid-related menorrhagia and pelvic pain. Further investigation will be required to assess clinical response and durability, identify appropriate candidates, and define the optimal angiographic technique and PVA particle size.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential usefulness of transcatheter uterine artery embolization as a treatment for fibroid-related vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain refractory to hormonal therapy and myomectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients (aged 27-55 years; mean, 44.2 years; none desiring future pregnancy) with refractory vaginal bleeding and/or chronic pelvic pain related to uterine leiomyomata underwent uterine artery embolization with use of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles. Clinical improvement was assessed by detailed questionnaire at 2-9 months (mean, 5.8 months) after the procedure. Sonographic measurements of the uterus and dominant masses were obtained before and at 2 months after the procedure. RESULTS: All 11 patients underwent technically successful embolization. Eight of nine women who completed the follow-up questionnaire reported noticeable symptomatic improvement, including three women with complete resolution of symptoms. One woman (the only patient undergoing unilateral embolization) exhibited no clinical response. Another patient developed endometritis and pyometra 3 weeks after the procedure, necessitating hysterectomy. Large reductions in uterine volume (average, 40%) and dominant fibroid size (average, 60%-65%) were sonographically demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Uterine artery embolization represents a promising new method of treating fibroid-related menorrhagia and pelvic pain. Further investigation will be required to assess clinical response and durability, identify appropriate candidates, and define the optimal angiographic technique and PVA particle size.
KW - Pelvic pain
KW - Uterine artery, therapeutic blockade
KW - Uterus, hemorrhage
KW - Uterus, neoplasms
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0030728086&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S1051-0443(97)70603-1
DO - 10.1016/S1051-0443(97)70603-1
M3 - Article
C2 - 9232565
AN - SCOPUS:0030728086
SN - 1051-0443
VL - 8
SP - 517
EP - 526
JO - Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology
JF - Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology
IS - 4
ER -