title: Uterine fibroid embolisation: initial experience in our local population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the results of uterine fibroid embolisation as a treatment option for symptomatic uterine fibroids in the local population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The retrospective study was done at the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, and comprised records of 12 patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids who had undergone uterine fibroid embolisation with the use of polyvinyl alcohol between May 2008 and July 2012. All of these patients had been assessed by a gynaecologist. Pre-embolisation workup was done by pelvic Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A detailed questionnaire was prepared to assess clinical improvement and interval change in fibroid size on follow-up imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A technically successful embolisation was done in all patients. All patients experienced immediate postprocedure pain, but responded to conservative treatment. Clinical follow-up showed a significant reduction in symptoms within six months of the procedure, with 88% improvement in menorrhagia and 100% improvement in pain. Follow-up imaging showed reduction in fibroid sizes ranging from 17-63%. Two patients developed infection, which is a known complication of this procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uterine fibroid embolisation is a well-recognised treatment option for symptomatic uterine fibroids. Ascertaining its long-term results in our local population will, however, require additional studies with larger patient populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad.
authors.forename: Rehmani Aniqah
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Jawad
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad.
authors.lastname: Imaad-ur-Rehman
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad.
authors.forename: Atif Iqbal
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Rana
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecologist, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad.
authors.forename: Nabia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tariq
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol