title: Uterine artery embolisation for symptomatic adenomyosis with polyzene F-coated hydrogel microspheres: three-year clinical follow-up using UFS-QoL questionnaire.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to assess midterm outcome of uterine artery embolisation (UAE) for women with therapy-resistant adenomyosis using polyzene F-coated hydrogel microspheres.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between September 2006 and January 2010, 29 consecutive women with adenomyosis (15 in combination with fibroids) were treated with UAE using polyzene F-coated hydrogel microspheres. Junction zone thickness was assessed with MRI at baseline and 3 months. Women filled out the uterine fibroid symptom and quality of life questionnaire at baseline, 3 months and after a mean clinical follow-up of 37 months (median 35, range 29-64 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, symptom severity score of 29 women was mean 67 (median 72, range 23-100). At 3 months, this score decreased to mean 22 (median 15, range 0-66) and mean 15 (median 17, range 0-34) at final follow-up. At final follow-up of mean 37 months (median 35, range 29-64 months), 22 of 29 (76 %) patients were asymptomatic. Of these 22 women, 3 underwent a second UAE at 6, 7, and 14 months. The remaining seven patients clinically improved but still had symptoms; one underwent a hysterectomy. There was no difference in outcome between women with pure adenomyosis and women with additional fibroids. The junction zone of 4 women with additional therapy was significantly thicker compared with the remaining 25 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In women with therapy resistant adenomyosis, UAE using polyzene F-coated hydrogel microspheres resulted in 3 years preservation of the uterus in 28 of 29 (97 %) with good clinical outcome in the vast majority of patients. Initial thickness of the junction zone is related to additional therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, St. Elisabeth Ziekenhuis, Hilvarenbeekseweg 60, 5022 GC, Tilburg, The Netherlands, nijenhuis@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Nijenhuis
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Smeets
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morpurgo
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Boekkooi
authors.forename: P J H M
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Reuwer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smink
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: van Rooij
authors.forename: P N M
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Lohle
mesh_terms: D062788:Adenomyosis / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008863:Microspheres; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate