title: Is uterine artery embolization for patients with large myomas safe and effective? A retrospective comparative study in 323 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and complications of uterine artery embolization (UAE) in women with large fibroid tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2005 to February 2011, 323 patients underwent UAE for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas without adenomyosis and were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: those with a large tumor burden (group 1; n = 63), defined as a dominant tumor with a longest axis of at least 10 cm or a uterine volume of at least 700 cm(3); and the control group (group 2; n = 260). Tumor infarction and volume reduction were calculated based on magnetic resonance imaging findings. Symptom status was assessed with a visual analog scale. Postprocedure complications and repeat interventions were recorded. The data were analyzed with appropriate statistical tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were seen between the two groups in volume reduction of dominant tumors (46.5% in group 1 vs 52.0% in group 2; P = .082) or percentage volume reduction of the uterus (40.7% in group 1 vs 36.3% in group 2; P = .114). Also, no significant differences were seen between the two groups regarding satisfaction scores at immediate or midterm follow-up (P = .524 and P = .497) or in the presence of procedure-related complications (P = .193).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  UAE outcomes in large fibroid tumors were comparable to those in smaller tumors, without an increased risk of significant complications. Tumor size may not be a key factor in predicting successful outcomes of UAE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, College of Medicine, 351 Yatap-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 463-712, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Gyeong Sik
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Man Deuk
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong Tae
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jung Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009214:Myoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents