Uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine leiomyomata.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Messina
M L
ML
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. mmessina@uol.com.br
Bozzini
N
N
Halbe
H W
HW
Pinotti
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001938:Brazil; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011336:Probability; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*
D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol