title: Volumetric MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound versus uterine artery embolisation for treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids: comparison of symptom improvement and reintervention rates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness of magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) with that of uterine artery embolisation (UAE) for treatment of uterine fibroids.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2010 and January 2013, 51 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids underwent MR-HIFU. Follow-up and MR imaging were compared to 68 women treated with UAE, who fulfilled eligibility criteria for MR-HIFU - e.g., size (≤ 12 cm) and number (≤ 5) of fibroids. We compared median symptom severity (tSSS), total health-realted quality of life (HRQoL) scores, and reintervention rates. The adjusted effect on symptom relief and HRQoL improvement was calculated using multivariable linear regression. Cox regression was applied to calculate the adjusted risk of reintervention between both treatments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median tSSS improved significantly from baseline to three-month follow-up (P < 0.001) for both MR-HIFU (53.1 (IQR [40.6-68.8]) to 34.4 (IQR [21.9-46.9]) and UAE (65.3 (IQR [56.3-74.2]) to 21.9 (IQR [9.4-34.4]). In addition, significantly better HRQoL scores were observed after three months (P < 0.001). However, in multivariate analysis, UAE had a stronger effect on symptom relief and HRQoL improvement than MR-HIFU (P < 0.001). Patients treated with MR-HIFU had a 7.1 (95 % CI [2.00-25.3]; P = 0.002) times higher risk of reintervention within 12 months (18/51 vs. 3/68).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both MR-HIFU and UAE result in significant symptom relief related to uterine fibroids. However, MR-HIFU is associated with a higher risk of reintervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • This study compared outcomes between volumetric MR-HIFU and UAE for uterine fibroids. • Both MR-HIFU and UAE result in significant symptom relief and quality of life improvement. • UAE had a stronger positive effect on the clinical outcomes. • Reintervention rate after MR-HIFU ablation was significantly higher than after UAE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, Netherlands, m.ikink@umcutrecht.nl.
authors.forename: Marlijne E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ikink
authors.forename: Robbert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Nijenhuis
authors.forename: Helena M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Verkooijen
authors.forename: Marianne J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Voogt
authors.forename: Paul J H M
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Reuwer
authors.forename: Albert J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Smeets
authors.forename: Paul N M
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Lohle
authors.forename: Maurice A A J
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: van den Bosch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D057086:High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D053783:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization / Q000379:methods*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*