title: Outcome of unintended pregnancy after ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation of uterine fibroids.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) ablation of uterine fibroids among women with unintentional pregnancy within 1 year of therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis was conducted of 435 women who underwent USgHIFU therapy at Chongqing Medical University, China, between October 1, 2006, and October 1, 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Unplanned pregnancy was reported by 24 women within 1 year of USgHIFU ablation; 8 of these women had desired pregnancy before undergoing treatment. A total of 27 fibroids were detected, 24 of which were treated (mean volume 65.9±58.8 cm(3)). Pregnancy was continued by 7 women without any complications. One pregnant woman who had desired pregnancy before therapy underwent an induced abortion owing to concerns about the effects of USgHIFU on the fetus. Fourteen women without pregnancy intention before USgHIFU therapy chose to undergo induced abortion; 2 women experienced spontaneous abortion. No adhesion occurred after USgHIFU therapy. Furthermore, USgHIFU, labor, and abortion had no effect on subsequent menstruation or sexual activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pregnancy within 1 year after USgHIFU ablation of uterine fibroids appears safe; however, large scale studies are required to confirm these data.
authors.affiliation: College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Jin-Yun
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wen-Peng
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Wen-Zhi
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhi-Biao
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D057086:High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*