Non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound treatment for uterine fibroids - early experience.
OBJECTIVE
To describe early results regarding efficacy and safety of magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) for the treatment of uterine leiomyomas among a population of Japanese women.


METHODS
In this single site study, 48 Japanese women, over 18 years of age, who were candidates for surgical intervention due to symptomatic fibroids, were recruited. Fifty-five uterine fibroids were treated by MRgFUS and followed up for 12 months.


RESULTS
During the 12-month follow-up period, two patients (4%) required surgical interventions, and two patients required additional drug treatment for fibroids. The average reduction in fibroid volume determined by MR imaging at 6 months after treatment was 33%. This volume reduction is correlated with the fibroid's treated volume. No serious complications were recorded during the treatments or follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
MRgFUS can safely be used to non-invasively treat symptomatic uterine fibroids and avoid the need for surgical intervention in the short term. With large treatment volumes, MRgFUS also results in significant fibroid shrinkage in a relatively short time. Additional follow-up is needed to determine the long-term durability of this promising non-invasive approach.
Morita
Yutaka
Y
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Itabashi Chuo Medical Center, 2-12-7 Azusawa, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 174-0051, Japan. moririn@yf6.so-net.ne.jp
Ito
Naoki
N
Hikida
Hiromi
H
Takeuchi
Sawako
S
Nakamura
Kouji
K
Ohashi
Hirofumi
H
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*