Methotrexate infusion followed by uterine artery embolisation for the management of placental adhesive disorders: a case series

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the uterine artery embolisation (UAE) in combination with methotrexate (MTX) for conservative management of placental adhesive disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with placental adhesive disorders (including accreta, increta, and percreta lesions) that were treated with UAE in combination with MTX were identified and were followed prospectively for outcomes including uterine preservation and complications. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were identified who had the diagnosis of abnormal placenta implantation during this study. Fourteen patients were excluded because they were treated by a caesarean hysterectomy. Among remaining 12 patients, the successful uterine preservation observed in seven (58) cases. Menstruation cycles returned in all successfully treated patients, although they did not have desire to get pregnant. Five (42) patients underwent primary or delayed hysterectomy due to severe post-partum haemorrhage in three cases, and intestinal adhesion/peritonitis and secondary post-partum haemorrhage/sepsis in two patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although this interventional method is relatively successful in uterine preservation, the possibility of treatment failure cannot be ignored. Given that there are too few data regarding its efficacy and safety, this method should be reserved to patients who have a strong desire to maintain the uterus and their fertility, or if it is technically difficult to perform hysterectomy due to the extent of the invasion. © 2019 The Royal College of Radiologist