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Uterine Artery Embolization Using Gelatin Sponge Particles Alleviates Fibroid Symptoms
A DGReview of :"Uterine Artery Embolization Using Gelatin Sponge Particles Alone for Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids: Midterm Results"
American Journal of Roentgenology
01/29/2002
By Mark Greener
Uterine artery embolisation using gelatin sponge particles offers a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids.
Researchers from Saiseikai Shiga Hospital, Japan, enrolled 60 women, average age 42.5 years, who had symptomatic uterine fibroids. The women underwent uterine artery embolisation using gelatin sponge particles with diameters that ranged from approximately 500-1000 µm.
The authors followed patients for a mean 10.6 months, although this ranged from one to 38 months.
Clinical symptom improvement was assessed by questionnaire; reductions in size of the largest tumor and in uterine volume were determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Follow-up was for an average of 10.6 months (range 1-38 months).
Four months following the embolism, 41 of the 42 women (98 percent) in whom data was available reported marked or moderate improvement in menorrhagia. At one year, all 20 patients in whom data were available reported a marked or moderate improvement in menorrhagia.
Four months after embolisation, 31 of 32 patients (97 percent) reported marked or moderate improvement in bulk-related symptoms, and all 19 patients one year after embolisation reported such improvements one year post-embolisation.
MRI showed mean reductions in the volume of the largest fibroids in 55 and 70 percent of patients after four months and one year, respectively. The mean reductions in uterine volume were 40 and 56 percent, respectively. Neither new fibroids nor re-growth of existing tumours were seen on MRI. There were no major complications associated with the procedure.
The authors conclude that uterine artery embolisation using gelatin sponge particles is safe and effective for management of symptomatic uterine fibroids. The outcomes bear comparison with literature reports assessing uterine artery embolisation using polyvinyl alcohol particles, they add.
Am J Roentgenology 2002;178:135-139.
"Uterine Artery Embolization Using Gelatin Sponge Particles Alone for Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids: Midterm Results"
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