title: Uterine fibroid therapy using interventional radiology mini-invasive treatments: current perspective.
abstract: Uterine fibroids are common benign tumors of unclear etiopathology that affect the female reproductive tract. They are responsible for considerable morbidity and deterioration of life quality, and may have a negative impact on the reproductive system as well. Besides surgery aided by uterus-saving techniques, several minimally invasive procedures are now available within the field of interventional radiology that represent a valid solution for women who desire pregnancy and relief from disease-specific symptomatology. The main advantages offered by these techniques are low grade of invasiveness and short times of hospitalization. The most diffuse techniques are uterine artery embolization (UAE) and magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgFUS). UAE is an endovascular procedure whose goal is obtained by provoking ischemia of the uterine vessels. MRgFUS is a thermoablation procedure that selectively ablates the symptomatic fibroids. In this review study, both procedures will be described, including a description of technical details, indications, contraindications, complications, and outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Department of Applied Clinical Science and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy. carlo.masciocchi@cc.univaq.it.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masciocchi
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Department of Applied Clinical Science and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arrigoni
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Department of Applied Clinical Science and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Department of Applied Clinical Science and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Aldo Victor
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Department of Applied Clinical Science and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iafrate
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Department of Applied Clinical Science and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Capretti
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Department of Applied Clinical Science and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cannizzaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal and Experimental Medicine, Magrassi-Lanzara, Institute of Radiology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reginelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Insubria University, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ierardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Insubria University, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Floridi
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessio Salvatore
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Angileri
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Health Science "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brunese
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Department of Applied Clinical Science and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barile
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D057086:High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000628:therapy*; D015642:Radiology, Interventional / Q000379:methods; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization / Q000379:methods*
keywords: HIFU; Interventional radiology; MRgFUS; UAE; Uterine artery embolization; Uterine fibroids