ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effects and safety of uterine artery embolization for uterine leiomyoma. Methods Total of 185 patients with uterine leiomyoma were treated by UAE. They were followed for one to 6 years to observe the changes of leiomyoma size and improvement in clinical symptoms. Ovarian function was evaluated in 44 cases. Results Bilateral embolization of uterine arteries was performed in 185 patients. Follow-up of 1 ～6 years for 292 leiomyoma indicated that one to 9 months after embolization, shrinkage of leiomyoma size was the most significant factor. One year after embolization, leiomyoma sizes decreased a little. Shrinkage of submucous leiomyoma was more significant than that of intratumoral one, and the latter was more significant than subserous one. Shrinkage of leiomyoma with large size ( volume ≥ 150cm~3) was less than that of small one. Menorrhagia, anemia and pressure symptoms were all resolved. There was no significant difference between pre- and post embolization ovarian hormone level. Conclusions The significant reduction in leiomyoma volume and resolution of clinical symptoms confirmed that the treatment validity of symptomatic leiomyomas by UAE. UAE is an effective therapeutic procedure which has no adverse effect on the ovarian function.