Georgetown University Medical Center began a study to evaluate UAE in July of 1997 and as
of May 1, 1999, we had treated 96 patients. The clinical and imaging results in the first
61 patients were reported at the Annual SCVIR Meeting in Orlando, Florida in March of
1999. We have submitted these results for publication. The abstract from the presentation
and the paper is given below. Abstract
Initial Results from Uterine
Fibroid Embolization for Symptomatic Leiomyomata.
James B. Spies M.D., Anthony R.
Scialli M.D., Reena C. Jha M.D., Izumi Imaoka M.D., Susan M. Ascher M.D., Vivian M. Fraga
M.D., Klemens H. Barth M.D.
From the Departments of Radiology
(JBS, RCJ, II, SMA, KHB) and Obstetrics and Gynecology (ARS,VMF) of Georgetown University
Medical Center.
Objective: To evaluate the safety
and short term efficacy of uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) in patients with symptomatic
uterine fibroids.
Methods: Bilateral UFE was
performed in 61 patients with symptomatic uterine leiomyomata over a 16 month period.
Imaging was performed before the procedure and at three months and one year afterward.
Questionnaires were obtained at regular intervals post-procedure to assess patient
outcome.
Results: All procedures but one
were technically successful. Mean clinical follow-up was 8.7 months. Minor complications
occurred in five patients during the follow-up period. All were treated without permanent
sequelae.
Menstrual bleeding was improved in 89%, with 81% of patients moderately to markedly
improved. Pelvic pain and pressure was improved in 96% of patients, with moderate to
marked improvement in 79%. At initial imaging follow-up (mean 4.4 months post-procedure),
median uterine volume decreased 34% (P=.0001) and the median dominant fibroid volume
decreased 50 % (P=.0001). Imaging at one year (mean 12.3 months) post-procedure showed
continued reduction with a median uterine volume reduction of 48 % (P=.0002) and median
dominant fibroid volume decrease of 78% (P=.0002).
Conclusion: In our initial
clinical experience, UAE appears to be effective in controlling symptoms and substantially
reducing fibroid volume with few complications.
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