title: Safety of uterine artery embolization in patients with preexisting hydrosalpinx.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine (i) if preexisting hydrosalpinx poses a risk for development of pyosalpinx following uterine artery embolization (UAE) and (ii) the effect of UAE on fallopian tube diameter.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2005 and 2011, 429 women underwent UAE for treatment of symptomatic leiomyomas. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging before UAE revealed 16 (3.7%) premenopausal women (median age, 47 y; range, 40-52 y) with preexisting hydrosalpinx. Bilateral UAE was performed by using 500-700-μm tris-acryl microspheres with the administration of routine prophylactic antibiotics. Pre- and post-UAE MR images were used to measure fallopian tube diameter. Fallopian tube diameters were classified as normal (1-4 mm) or mildly (< 10 mm), moderately (10-20 mm), or severely enlarged (> 20 mm). A diameter change ≥ 3 mm was considered significant. Resolution of hydrosalpinx was defined by the inability to identify fallopian tubes on post-UAE MR imaging or a normal fallopian tube diameter. Radiology and hospital records were reviewed to determine clinical outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 16 patients underwent successful bilateral UAE. Clinical follow-up ranged from 14 to 1,531 days (median, 106 d). There was no clinical evidence of pyosalpinx after UAE. Two patients experienced minor complications unrelated to fallopian tube dilation. Post-UAE MR images were available in 13 of 16 patients (81.3%). There were no MR findings to suggest pyosalpinx after UAE. Resolution or improvement was noted in four of 15 hydrosalpinges (26.7%) for patients with follow-up imaging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study suggest that UAE is safe for patients with preexisting hydrosalpinx.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. nicholas.petruzzi@jeffersonhospital.org
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Petruzzi
authors.forename: Jeffrey W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: McCann
authors.forename: Neel A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Carin F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Gonsalves
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D015143:Philadelphia; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization / Q000009:adverse effects; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*