Uterine Arterial Embolization for Uterine Leiomyoma: Efficacy and Clinical Outcome

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and clinical outcome of uterine arterial embolization as a new approach to the management of uterine leiomyomas MATERIALS AND METHODS: Uterine arterial embolization was performed in 21 patients aged 26-62(mean, 42) years. Twenty of these had menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and mass-related symptoms (low abdorminal discomfort, backache, urinary frequency, etc.) and one was diagnesed incidentally. Bilateral uterine arteries were selected individually and polyvinyl alcohol and/or gelfoam was used as an embolic material. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were followed up after embolization. Seventeen (89.5 %) reported satisfactory myoma volume. In 17 patients (89.5 %), the menstrual cycle returned to normal. All patients experienced pain after the procedure and other complications were vaginal bleeding (26.3%) and fever (23.8%). CONCLUSION: Uterine arterial embolization represents a new approach to the management of uterine leiomyoma-related symptoms. Further investigations and long-term follow-up are, however, equired.ope