title: ACR Appropriateness Criteria® on treatment of uterine leiomyomas.
abstract: Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are the most common tumors in women of reproductive age and a cause of significant morbidity in this patient population. Depending on the fibroid location, they can be the cause of a variety of symptoms, such as abnormal uterine bleeding, constipation, urinary frequency, and pain. Historically, hysterectomy has been the primary treatment option, and uterine fibroids remain the leading cause for hysterectomy in the United States. However, women who do not wish to undergo hysterectomy now have a variety of less invasive options available, including uterine artery embolization. This article discusses uterine artery embolization as well as some of the other treatment strategies for symptomatic uterine fibroids. In many situations, there may be no single best treatment option but several viable alternatives. Each option is discussed with consideration of outcomes, complications, and, when possible, cost-effectiveness. The recommendations in this article are the result of evidence-based consensus of the ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Expert Panel on Interventional Radiology.
authors: University of North Carolina Hospital, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. cburke23@gmail.com
authors: Charles T
authors: CT
authors: Burke
authors: Brian S
authors: BS
authors: Funaki
authors: Charles E
authors: CE
authors: Ray
authors: Thomas B
authors: TB
authors: Kinney
authors: Jon K
authors: JK
authors: Kostelic
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Loesberg
authors: Jonathan M
authors: JM
authors: Lorenz
authors: Steven F
authors: SF
authors: Millward
authors: Albert A
authors: AA
authors: Nemcek
authors: Charles A
authors: CA
authors: Owens
authors: Howard
authors: H
authors: Shaw
authors: James E
authors: JE
authors: Silberzweig
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Vatakencherry
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D015642:Radiology, Interventional; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy; D014481:United States; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization / Q000379:methods*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral