RESUMO
Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of uterine arterial embolization (UAE) as a treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids(UF).Methods Twenty-six patients with clinic symptoms(menorrhagia, pelvic pain, bulk-related symptoms and anemia)caused by uterine fibroids underwent UAE.The embolization with a single catheter using the single-femoral artery approach to bilateral uterine artery was performed, injection of PVA 355～500 ?m and silk particles were used in 20 and 6 cases respectively.Results All cases were followed up for 6 to 18 months after treatment.The symptoma were noticeable improvement in 24 cases but 2 cases whom with injection silk particles.The tumors were marked diminution in size(45%～75%) sonographically after 2～6 months in 13 cases.No severe complication were discovered in all cases.Conclusion Uterine artery embolization is a safe and effective method for the management of symptomatic UF.Longer follow up is needed to evaluate the long term effects.