Safety and effectiveness of uterine artery embolization in patients with pedunculated fibroids.
OBJECTIVE
To assess complications and outcomes of uterine artery embolization (UAE) in women with pedunculated fibroids in a large single-center patient cohort.


METHODS
From a database with prospectively collected data from 716 women treated with UAE between 1996 and 2008, 29 women were identified with 31 pedunculated fibroids. Magnetic resonance images obtained before and 3 months after UAE were used to calculate stalk diameter change and volume reduction of both the pedunculated fibroid and uterus. Two observers assessed the overall percentage infarction and infarction of pedunculated fibroid. Complications were recorded and long-term clinical follow-up (mean, 33 months; range, 10-78 months) assessed with use of a questionnaire.


RESULTS
The mean reduction in uterine and pedunculated fibroid volume was 37% and 33%, respectively. The mean reduction in stalk diameter was 0.3 cm (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18, 0.52 cm) or 13% from initial mean diameter. Stalk enhancement was not affected by UAE. The mean pedunculated fibroid infarction and mean overall infarction rates were 87% and 92%, respectively, for observer 1 and 88% and 92% for observer 2, with good interobserver variability. All women returned the questionnaire and no early or late complications of UAE were reported (0%; 95% CI: 0.0%-13.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
In this small series of pedunculated subserosal fibroids treated with UAE, no complications occurred. The findings suggest that the use of UAE to treat pedunculated subserosal fibroids may be safe and effective.
Smeets
Albert J
AJ
Department of Radiology, St. Elisabeth Ziekenhuis, Hilvarenbeekseweg 60, 5022 GC Tilburg, The Netherlands. radiol@eztilburg.nl
Nijenhuis
Robbert J
RJ
Boekkooi
Peter F
PF
Vervest
Harry A M
HA
van Rooij
Willem Jan
WJ
de Vries
Jolanda
J
Lohle
Paul N M
PN
D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007238:Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D009426:Netherlands; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*