Evaluation of effects of uterine artery embolization for uterine fibroid by color Doppler sonography / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the clinical value of color doppler sonography in the evaluation of effects of uterine artery embolization(UAE) for the treatment of uterine fibroid.Methods Twentythree patients with symptomatic uterine fibroid were given transvaginal color Doppler sonography before and 1~7 days,1~3 months and 6~12 months after the UAE.Measurements of the uterus,myomas,and resistance index(RI) of the uterine artery were obtained. Results Out of 21 patients examined at 1~7 days after UAE,the uterus volume increased by a mean of 10% in 7 patients(4%~63%) and decreased by a mean of 21% in 14 patients(1%~67%) with the dominant myoma decreased by 24% in size(1%~56%).In 21 patients examined at 1~3 months after embolization,the uterus and dominant myoma decreased in size by 53%(24%~82%) and 47%(6%~88%),respectively.In 19 patients examined at 6~12 months,the uterus and myoma decreased in size by 66%(5%~91%) and 71%(32%~99%),respectively.Vessels inside and surrounding the myoma remarkably diminished or completely disappeared after embolization.No statistically significant changes in uterine artery RI were noted before and after UAE(F=0.47,P=0.70).Symptomatic improvements were achieved in 87% of patients(20/23) at 1 year after UAE. Conclusions UAE for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroid is safe and effective.Color Doppler sonography can evaluate the effect of UAE by means of measuring the volume of the uterus and myoma and the hemodynamic changes of the uterine artery before and after embolization.