title: Fibroid vascularisation assessed with three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound is a predictor for uterine fibroid growth: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse fibroid vascularisation measured with three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler in relation to absolute fibroid volume change during 12 months of follow up and in relation to fibroid growth rate per year.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cohort study was performed between March 2012 and March 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient clinic of the VU medical centre, Amsterdam.
  
  
  METHODS
  All premenopausal women diagnosed with a maximum of two fibroids with expectant management were consecutively included.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three-dimensional ultrasound including power Doppler was performed at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Volume and vascular parameters were calculated using VOCAL software.
  
  
  METHODS
  The relationship between vascular index (VI) at baseline and fibroid volume over time was analysed using linear mixed model analyses for repeated measurements. Second, the relationship between VI at baseline and fibroid growth rate per year was calculated using linear regression analyses. Analyses were adjusted for possible confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 66 women (mean age 42 years) completed 12 months of follow up without treatment. Baseline fibroid vascularisation (VI) measured with 3D power Doppler is correlated with fibroid volume at 12 months (P = 0.02 ). An increase of 1% in VI at baseline was associated with a 7.00-cm3larger fibroid volume at 12 months. Furthermore, vascularisation was also associated with fibroid growth rate per year (P = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In women with uterine fibroids without therapy, baseline vascularisation (VI) measured with 3D power Doppler is correlated with absolute fibroid volume change at 12 months and with fibroid growth rate per year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fibroid vascularisation correlates with absolute fibroid volume change and fibroid growth rate per year.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Nieuwenhuis
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Keizer
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stoelinga
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jwr
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Twisk
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wjk
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hehenkamp
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brölmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jaf
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huirne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
keywords: Doppler; fibroid/leiomyoma; growth; three dimensional; ultrasonography