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Midterm Outcome of Ultrasound‐Guided Alcohol Gel Sclerotherapy for Symptomatic Leiomyoma
Author(s) -
Pessoa Lucilo Avila,
Gurgel Fernando,
Avila Mirela,
da Conceição Souto Maior Maria,
Silva Valeria Maria Bezerra
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1550-9613
pISSN - 0278-4297
DOI - 10.7863/jum.2010.29.9.1323
Subject(s) - medicine , sclerotherapy , ultrasound , leiomyoma , conservative treatment , surgery , adverse effect , pelvic pain , uterine leiomyoma , randomized controlled trial , radiology
Objective. The purpose of this study was to describe the outcome of ultrasound‐guided ethanol gel sclerotherapy of myomatous nodules 1 to 18 months after treatment. Methods. A total of 118 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of symptomatic leiomyomas referred for ethanol gel sclerotherapy were studied between November 2005 and July 2007. Clinical (self‐administered symptom questionnaire) and ultrasound follow‐ups were done 1 to 2, 6 to 8, and 12 to 18 months after the procedure. Results. The mean baseline volumes ± SD were 223.3 ± 158.3 cm 3 for the uterus and 68.4 ± 110.5 cm 3 for the dominant fibroid. The most common adverse reaction in the immediate postoperative period was pelvic pain in 27.1% of the patients, but 58.4% had no reactions. After 12 months, a 29.5% reduction in uterine volume was observed in 64.7% of the patients. A 55.5% reduction in dominant fibroid volume was observed in 82.8% of the patients. Pelvic pain improved in 29.8% of the sample, dysmenorrhea in 51.7%, and menstrual flow in 39%. Most patients (77%) reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment. Conclusions. The results suggest that ethanol gel sclerotherapy is a safe, conservative alternative for treating symptomatic uterine leiomyomas. Further randomized studies are necessary to determine the suitability and indications of this procedure in comparison to other minimally invasive techniques.