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Uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine leiomyomata
Author(s) -
Messina M.L.,
Bozzini N.,
Halbe H.W.,
Pinotti J.A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/s0020-7292(02)00182-0
Subject(s) - medicine , uterine artery embolization , uterine fibroids , hysterectomy , uterine artery , embolization , uterine leiomyoma , pelvic pain , uterus , leiomyoma , surgery , gynecology , radiology , pregnancy , gestation , biology , genetics
Objectives: To evaluate the results of the uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the treatment of uterine fibroids. Methods: Twenty‐six patients with ultrasonographic diagnosis of uterine leiomyomata were submitted to UAE with polyvinyl alcohol particles. Imaging and clinical follow‐up was performed before the procedure, at 3 months, and 1 year after. Results: All procedures but one were technically successful. Control of menorrhagia and pelvic pain were reported after UAE by 87.5% and 84.2% of patients, respectively. The initial medium uterine volume was 385 cm 3 , after 3 months 255 cm 3 and after 1 year 202 cm 3 . The mean uterine volume decrease was 29% after 3 months and 41% after 1 year of follow‐up ( P <0.001). Clinical and biochemical findings consistent with ovarian failure were observed in three patients (12% of the patients). Conclusions: UAE represents a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of uterine leiomyomata. The procedure appears effective in controlling symptoms and represents an alternative to hysterectomy.