Doppler-ultrasound as a predictor of uterine fibroid response to GnRH therapy.
OBJECTIVE
GnRH agonists (GnRHa) are able to reduce the bleeding and size of fibroids. We monitored the response of fibroids to GnRHa with power-Doppler ultrasound.


METHODS
Thirty-five women with fibroids, aged 32-48, received a 6-month course with the GnRHa triptorelin (Decapeptyl, Ipsen, France). The resistance index (RI) of the uterine artery was measured with power-Doppler ultrasound.


RESULTS
The uterine volume reduced from 470+/-347 to 297+/-295 cm3 (P<0.01) at the 6th month of treatment. The fibroid volume reduced after 3 months of treatment from 62+/-81 to 44+/-78 cm3 (P<0.05) and after 6 months of treatment to 30+/-70 cm3 (P<0.001 from baseline). Uterine artery RI increased from 0.73+/-0.16 to 1.05+/-0.27 at the 3rd month of treatment (P<0.001). The percent reduction of fibroid volume at the 6th month correlated with the percent increase of uterine RI at the 3rd month of treatment (r=0.45, P=0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of triptorelin reduced fibroid dimensions. The increase of the uterine artery resistance index (RI) at the 3rd month correlated with fibroid shrinkage at the 6th month of treatment and may be used to predict the response to this therapeutic maneuver.
Kanelopoulos
N
N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tzaneio General Hospital, Piraeus, Greece.
Dendrinos
S
S
Oikonomou
A
A
Panagopoulos
P
P
Markussis
V
V
D000328:Adult; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone