title: Uterine artery embolization: a treatment option for symptomatic fibroids in postmenopausal women.
abstract: The authors tested the hypothesis that UAE is an effective treatment option in postmenopausal women with fibroid-related bulk symptoms. The authors retrospectively reviewed a prospectively acquired HI-IQ database. Between 2001 and 2004, 24 women with an average age of 52 years meeting the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop criteria for menopause underwent UAE for fibroid-related bulk symptoms. All patients underwent preprocedural gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to confirm the presence of fibroid disease and exclude other pathology. These patients were followed at 1-, 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month intervals to assess their clinical response to therapy. Clinical success was defined as a qualitative reduction in bulk symptoms. Postprocedural gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging was performed routinely between 3 and 6 months and at 12 or 24 months, if indicated. Technical success was achieved in 24 of 24 (100%) patients. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 24 months with an average of 9 months. Clinical success was achieved in 22 of 24 (92%) women. There were no major complications in any of the patients. Mean uterine volume was reduced by 564 cc (P < .0001). Mean dominant uterine fibroid volume was reduced by 180 cm(3) (P = .0015). Uterine artery embolization is a viable treatment option in carefully selected postmenopausal women with fibroid-related bulk symptoms.
authors: Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North St. Clair Street, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60611-2927, USA.
authors: Howard B
authors: HB
authors: Chrisman
authors: Jeet
authors: J
authors: Minocha
authors: Robert K
authors: RK
authors: Ryu
authors: Robert L
authors: RL
authors: Vogelzang
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Nikolaidis
authors: Reed A
authors: RA
authors: Omary
mesh_terms: D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D014619:Vacuum Curettage