Uterine Fibroid Embolisation
Uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE) is a minimally invasive treatment for uterine fibroids. A doctor uses a small flexible tube (catheter) to inject tiny particles into the uterine arteries, which supply blood to your fibroids. The goal is to block tiny vessels that lead to your fibroids, starve the fibroids and cause them to die. Without their blood supply, the fibroids shrink and painful symptoms are alleviated.
Ideal candidates for this procedure include women with symptomatic fibroids who wish to avoid surgical intervention and are looking for an alternative treatment. These symptoms include heavy bleeding, pain with menstruation, constipation and bloating. Uterine Fibroid Embolisation patients also enjoy a high chance of preserving fertility. The hospital stay is usually only 24hrs and the patient will usually recover from the procedure within a few days.
Who Performs Uterine Fibroid Embolisation?
Interventional radiologists usually perform uterine embolisation. Interventional Radiology, is a sub-specialty of radiology that uses minimally invasive image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases in nearly every organ system in the body. Interventional radiologists diagnose and treat patients using the least invasive techniques in order to minimize risk to the patient and improve health outcomes.
How is Uterine Fibroid Embolisation Performed?
Uterine fibroid embolisation is performed with a small catheter (2 mm in diameter) inserted into the femoral artery at the level of the groin under local anesthesia. The interventional radiologist will then enter selectively into both uterine arteries under imaging guidance and inject small particles that will block the blood supply to the fibroids. The UAE procedure results in limited blood supply to the fibroids, which prevents further growth and heavy bleeding.
What are the Risk Factors for Uterine Embolisation?
Uterine embolisation is a procedure that has been practiced for well over two decades. Studies have shown that a high percentage of women find long-term relief of fibroid symptoms after UFE. However, not all women are good candidates for this procedure as there are certain risk factors.
A comprehensive understanding of the treatment options, risks and expected outcomes is essential in making a decision about the management of your condition. Uterine fibroid embolisation is a well-practiced procedure among interventional radiologists associated with few complications.
Major complications are rare.
These may include:
Infection
A degenerating fibroid can provide a site for bacterial growth and lead to infection of the uterus (endomyometritis). Many uterine infections can be treated with antibiotics, but in extreme cases, infection may require a hysterectomy.
Damage to other organs
Unintended embolisation of another organ or tissue could lead to serious illness. Even when embolisation is performed correctly, damage to the ovaries can occur. This could result in your periods stopping — this is rare if you’re aged 40 or younger and more common if you’re aged 50 or older at the time of the procedure. Women can and do have healthy pregnancies following uterine fibroid embolisation.
Incomplete embolisation
Occasionally uterine fibroid embolisation needs to be repeated on the same fibroids to block small vessels that may have grown in the period after the first procedure. Follow-up procedures such as this are now a rare occurrence as the technology and procedural techniques have advanced to make the primary procedure curative.
Not all patients are suited to uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE) as an ideal treatment for their fibroids. There are specific contraindications to the performing of this procedure:
Do not undergo uterine fibroid embolisation if you have:
- A history of pelvic radiation
- Possible pelvic cancer
- An active, recent or chronic pelvic infection
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis)
- A bleeding disorder
- A severe allergy to contrast material containing iodine
Am I A Candidate for Uterine Fibroid Embolisation
Discuss uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE) with your gynecologist, primary care doctor or an interventional radiologist. Contact us for more information.