Fibroid Embolization
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids, also called leiomyoma and/or leiomyomata, are abnormal but benign (not cancerous) tumors of muscle tissue that arise from the muscular wall of the uterus. These tumors are usually asymptomatic but can cause symptoms including pain, abnormal bleeding, frequent urination, constipation, a feeling of abdominal bloating and pain during intercourse. Fibroids may also result in infertility.
How are uterine fibroids diagnosed?
A good physical exam will frequently detect some enlargement of the uterus. When this enlargement is felt to be significant, a pelvic ultrasound is usually performed. Sometimes an MRI is performed because it gives fine detail in evaluating fibroids.
How are fibroids treated?
Once the diagnosis has been established there are a variety of treatments. Fibroids usually recede during and after menopause because the hormone stimulation for growth is removed. Hormone therapy using Lupron may suppress the fibroids' growth and even cause them to shrink but growth will resume once the Lupron is discontinued. In patients who wish to become pregnant, a procedure known as laparoscopic or open myomectomy can be performed to remove individual fibroids surgically. In patients who do not wish to become pregnant, the traditional treatment has been hysterectomy. Over 200,000 hysterectomies a year are performed for this indication. Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) has been performed since the early 1990's and provides an alternative, non-surgical treatment that is effective and does not require removal of the uterus or major surgery.
How is uterine fibroid embolization placement performed?
The procedure is performed in the radiology department of NorthEast Medical Center by the radiologist. Sedation to keep the patient comfortable during the procedure is given through a vein in the arm. A small catheter is introduced through the artery in the groin (sometimes on both sides) and positioned into the arteries that feed the uterus. Tiny particles are injected into the arteries to stop blood flow. The muscular wall of the uterus tolerates this well with no ill effects but the fibroid deprived of its blood supply dies. Over time, it will shrink as much as 70% allowing for improvement or complete resolution of symptoms. The procedure takes about an hour to perform. Most patients will stay in the hospital overnight as some post-embolization pain is expected. Discharge the following day is possible and often patients can resume their pre-procedure activity levels in 7-10 days. The success rate for controlling abnormal bleeding and symptoms caused by the size of the fibroids is 85-90%.
What are the advantages of uterine fibroid embolization over surgical treatment?
UFE is not major surgery and the recovery time is considerably shorter than for hysterectomy. Complete recovery time for hysterectomy can be many weeks to as long as 3 months. With UFE the uterus itself is not removed. There are no surgical incisions.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Our interventional radiologists offer the full spectrum of care including pre-procedure consultation, post-procedure care and when necessary, hospital admission. All patients can schedule an office visit to consult with a radiologist to discuss vascular options prior to performing any procedure. To schedule an appointment or if you have questions concerning this exam, please call the Interventional Radiology Clinic at 704-786-0052.
For more information, visit http://www.radiologyinfo.com/
