Sonographic Evaluation of Patients Treated with Uterine Artery Embolization

摘要

First described by Ravina and colleagues1 in 1995, transcatheter uterine artery embolization (UAE) has become an accepted alternative to surgical and medical treatment for symptomatic fibroids.2'3 It has been estimated that close to 100,000 procedures have been performed to date. The goal of the procedure is to produce infarction of fibroids without compromising endometrial and myometrial perfusion. Multiple postprocedural studies have demonstrated a significant decrease in uterine and fibroid volumes with associated decrease in symptoms.4'5 When used to treat abnormal bleeding, bulk symptoms, and pain associated with fibroids, this procedure has been shown as effective and safe with minimal morbidity and mortality and clinical success in approximately 85% of Datients.