Objective:

We aimed to examine the technical success, early-stage clinical results and radiological follow up findings of uterine artery embolization (UAE) treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids in patients.

Method:

In the present study, we retrospectively evaluated the patients who were admitted to our hospital. Between February 2017 and July 2019 with symptoms due to uterine fibroids namely myomas and underwent endovascular embolization treatment. Patients with complaints of excessive, prolonged, irregular, and frequent episodes of uterine bleeding, anemia, abdominal pain, palpable mass, and pollakiuria associated with uterine myoma which impaired quality life of the patients were included in this study. In addition, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings, and clinical symptoms of all patients before UAE, and 6th months after UAE were recorded.

Results:

In our study, a total of 40 patients aged between 23-50 years (mean 41.3), one of whom had a history of hysterectomy underwent UAE procedure in our hospital. In our series, clinical symptoms, MRI and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) findings were presented. Uterine fibroid volumes as estimated based on MRI images obtained before - and 6 months after UAE were recorded (234,47±76,48 vs 17,27±43,53 (p=0,001). Embolization was cancelled due to intense atherosclerotic causes in one patient, and embolization of unilateral uterine artery could be achieved. The remaining 39 patients underwent successful UAE procedure bilaterally. There were no complications associated with endovascular procedure. After the procedure, all of these 39 patients were discharged on the same day following bed rest and one patient could be discharged one week later due to the development of urosepsis.

Conclusion:

UAE is a novel treatment modality which is being increasingly used in patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids, and it is an important and effective treatment option since it is much less invasive compared to hysterectomy, does not require hospitalization after the procedure and can be performed under simple sedation or spinal anesthesia.

Keywords: uterine fibroids, uterine artery, embolization, magnetic resonance imaging