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BACKGROUND: Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) is an established treatment option for women with symptomatic uterine fibroids who wish to avoid surgery. However the most efficacious embolic agent remains uncertain. METHODS: We conducted a pilot double blind randomized controlled trial comparing Gelfoam with Embospheres in women undergoing UAE. Outcomes recorded at baseline, 24-h, 1 and 6 months included complications, inflammatory, haematological markers and ovarian function. Contrast enhanced MRI (CEMRI) was acquired at baseline, 24-h and 6 months. Pain score (visual analogue) was measured at 24-h, quality of life (UFS-Qol) at baseline, 1 and 6 months. All patients were followed to 6 months. RESULTS: Twenty patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either Gelfoam (G) or Embospheres (E). The UFS-Qol symptom score improved in both groups at 6 months mean of 64 ± 18 to 23 ± 16 and 54 ± 15 to 32 ± 26 in the E and G groups respectively. UFS-Qol HRQL also improved in both groups at 6 months, mean 41 ± 28 to 79 ± 20 and 53 ± 19 to 78 ± 21 in the E and G groups respectively.Uterine volume at 6 months reduced from 1018 ± 666mls to 622 ± 436 (p = 0.001) and from 1026 ± 756 to 908 ± 720 (p = 0.15) in the E and G groups respectively. There was a significant difference between groups for this parameter p = 0.01. All uterine arteries were patent at 24-h and 6 months. Complete (100%) fibroid infarction rates were 5(50%) and 2(20%) in the E and G groups respectively. None of the other outcome measures showed any between group differences. There were no re-interventions in either group. CONCLUSION: The only significant between group differences was for a greater reduction in uterine volume at 6 months in the E group. A larger trial (estimate 172 subjects) is required to determine whether other apparent differences are clinically and statistically significant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN67347987.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: Absence of contrast on contrast enhanced MRI (CEMRI) and reduction in uterine volume at 6 months post-uterine artery embolisation (UAE) currently indicate the successful disruption of the fibroid blood supply by UAE. This study assesses whether (1)H MR spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) can also indicate the success of UAE. METHOD: 20 patients with symptomatic fibroids were randomised 1:1 to undergo UAE with either Gelfoam or Embospheres. CEMRI and spectra (1.5 T) were acquired pre-, 24-h and 6 months post-UAE. LCModel was used to detect significant levels of choline, creatine and lactate in fibroid spectra. Uterine volumes were measured and paired t tests (p < 0.05) assessed volume reduction over time. Qualitative assessments of CEMRI were performed. RESULTS: Choline was detected in 17/18 spectra pre-UAE, 12/14 at 24-h and 6/16 at 6 months post-UAE. Choline was not detected in the 7/7 spectra available for the Embospheres group at 6 months. These fibroids were non-enhancing on CEMRI and associated with a significant reduction in mean uterine volume at 6 months (mean/min/max 396.5/84.1/997.5 cm(3), p = 0.003). Choline was detected in 6/9 fibroid spectra available for the Gelfoam group at 6 months. Of these fibroids, four demonstrated persistent enhancement on CEMRI and two were non-enhancing. This group did not demonstrate significant uterine volume reduction (mean/min/max 117.2/-230.6/382.6 cm(3), p = 0.15). The negative minimum value indicates fibroid growth. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated the potential of (1)H MRS to provide an additional marker of the success of UAE.
