title: Uterine artery embolization using progressively larger calibrated gelatin sponge particles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness and safety of uterine artery embolization (UAE) using progressively larger calibrated gelatin sponge particles for symptomatic uterine fibroids.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids underwent UAE. Calibrated gelatin sponge particles were used in all patients, beginning with 355-500 μm particles, progressively increasing to 500-710 μm and finally to 710-1000 μm particles. Changes in tumor, uterine volume, and tumor infarction rate were assessed using pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The level of complication, improvement of clinical symptoms, and Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life (UFS-QOL) score were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MR imaging revealed the mean largest tumor volume reduction was 56.23 ± 16.25% at three months and 72.61 ± 14.47% at 12 months after the procedure. 100% infarction of the dominant fibroids was 91.27 ± 5.02% at three months and 96 ± 5.20% at 12 months after the procedure. Menorrhagia improved markedly in all 23 patients. Bulk-related symptoms improved in 12 (92.30%) of 13 patients. The baseline UFS-QOL score was 43.13 and improved to 11.88 (p < 0.001). No major complications were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  UAE using progressively larger calibrated gelatin sponge particles is an effective and safe treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Radiology , Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine , Changwon , Korea.
authors.forename: Yun Gyu
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine , Changwon , Korea.
authors.forename: Young Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.affiliation: b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine , Changwon , Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Woon
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D062788:Adenomyosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005780:Gelatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D010316:Particle Size; D011788:Quality of Life; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005780:Gelatin
keywords: Uterine artery embolization (UAE); calibrated gelatin sponge particles; uterine fibroids