Angiography, digital subtraction Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(11):530-535
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010001100003
PURPOSE: to evaluate the effectiveness of uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) in patients with giant fibroids, with regard to both clinical outcomes and size reduction. METHODS: twenty-six patients with a mean age of 36.5 years, carrying symptomatic fibroids with a volume over 1,000 cm³, were referred for UFE. All patients had indication for percutaneous treatment. The procedures were performed under epidural anesthesia and sedation, using an institutional protocol. By unilateral femoral access, selective catheterization of uterine arteries and infusion of calibrated microspheres through microcatheter were carried out. Clinical evaluation was performed by means of regular outpatient gynecology consultation. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before the procedure and 15 patients underwent control MRI after 6 months. RESULTS: technical success was 100%. There was no complication related to the procedures. Mean uterine volume of the 15 patients studied was 1,401 cm³ before embolization (min 1,045 cm³, max 2,137 cm³) and 799 cm³ after 6 months (525 cm³ min, max. 1,604 cm³), resulting in a total reduction of 42.9%. Clinical improvement was observed in 25 of 26 patients. One woman with uterine volume of 1,098 cm³ who developed necrosis and partial fibroid expulsion underwent myomectomy. Another patient was submitted to myomectomy six months after the procedure because she wanted to become pregnant, despite partial fibroid size reduction. One patient with a uterine volume of 2,201 cm³ required a second intervention to achieve an adequate angiographic result. No patient underwent hysterectomy. On average, 9.2 microsphere syringes were used per patient. CONCLUSION: embolization of giant uterine fibroids is a feasible procedure with acceptable clinical and radiological outcomes. It can be considered an option for patients who desire to preserve the uterus, and it may serve as adjuvant therapy for high-risk myomectomy.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(11):530-535
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010001100003
PURPOSE: to evaluate the effectiveness of uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) in patients with giant fibroids, with regard to both clinical outcomes and size reduction. METHODS: twenty-six patients with a mean age of 36.5 years, carrying symptomatic fibroids with a volume over 1,000 cm³, were referred for UFE. All patients had indication for percutaneous treatment. The procedures were performed under epidural anesthesia and sedation, using an institutional protocol. By unilateral femoral access, selective catheterization of uterine arteries and infusion of calibrated microspheres through microcatheter were carried out. Clinical evaluation was performed by means of regular outpatient gynecology consultation. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before the procedure and 15 patients underwent control MRI after 6 months. RESULTS: technical success was 100%. There was no complication related to the procedures. Mean uterine volume of the 15 patients studied was 1,401 cm³ before embolization (min 1,045 cm³, max 2,137 cm³) and 799 cm³ after 6 months (525 cm³ min, max. 1,604 cm³), resulting in a total reduction of 42.9%. Clinical improvement was observed in 25 of 26 patients. One woman with uterine volume of 1,098 cm³ who developed necrosis and partial fibroid expulsion underwent myomectomy. Another patient was submitted to myomectomy six months after the procedure because she wanted to become pregnant, despite partial fibroid size reduction. One patient with a uterine volume of 2,201 cm³ required a second intervention to achieve an adequate angiographic result. No patient underwent hysterectomy. On average, 9.2 microsphere syringes were used per patient. CONCLUSION: embolization of giant uterine fibroids is a feasible procedure with acceptable clinical and radiological outcomes. It can be considered an option for patients who desire to preserve the uterus, and it may serve as adjuvant therapy for high-risk myomectomy.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(2):77-81
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010000200005
PURPOSE: to determine the dose of ionizing radiation absorbed by the ovaries and the skin of patients undergoing uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), and to suggest a radiologic protocol directed at reducing the risks involved in this procedure. METHODS: seventy-three consecutive women (mean age: 27 years) participating in an institutional research protocol, having symptomatic uterine fibroids with indication for minimally invasive treatment, underwent UFE. We estimated the radiation absorbed by the ovaries by means of vaginal dosimeters and the radiation dose absorbed by the skin by means of indirect calculations of radiation absorption. The first 49 patients belonged to the Pre-modification Group, and the last 24, to the Post-modification Group. The second group received a modified protocol of X-ray imaging, with a reduction by half of the frames number per second during arteriography, in an attempt to match the values obtained to those of the literature, and avoiding as much as possible unnecessary exposure to the X-ray beam. RESULTS: there were no technical complications in any of the procedures performed. There were no differences in the mean fluoroscopy time or in the mean number of arteriographies between the two groups. We obtained a 57% reduction in the estimated absorbed ovarian dose between groups (29.0 versus 12.3 cGy) and a 30% reduction in the estimated dose absorbed by the skin (403.6 versus 283.8 cGy). CONCLUSIONS: a significant reduction in the absorption of radiation in patients undergoing UFE can be achieved by changing the number of frames per second in angiographic series, and by the routine use of radiological protection standards.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(2):77-81
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010000200005
PURPOSE: to determine the dose of ionizing radiation absorbed by the ovaries and the skin of patients undergoing uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), and to suggest a radiologic protocol directed at reducing the risks involved in this procedure. METHODS: seventy-three consecutive women (mean age: 27 years) participating in an institutional research protocol, having symptomatic uterine fibroids with indication for minimally invasive treatment, underwent UFE. We estimated the radiation absorbed by the ovaries by means of vaginal dosimeters and the radiation dose absorbed by the skin by means of indirect calculations of radiation absorption. The first 49 patients belonged to the Pre-modification Group, and the last 24, to the Post-modification Group. The second group received a modified protocol of X-ray imaging, with a reduction by half of the frames number per second during arteriography, in an attempt to match the values obtained to those of the literature, and avoiding as much as possible unnecessary exposure to the X-ray beam. RESULTS: there were no technical complications in any of the procedures performed. There were no differences in the mean fluoroscopy time or in the mean number of arteriographies between the two groups. We obtained a 57% reduction in the estimated absorbed ovarian dose between groups (29.0 versus 12.3 cGy) and a 30% reduction in the estimated dose absorbed by the skin (403.6 versus 283.8 cGy). CONCLUSIONS: a significant reduction in the absorption of radiation in patients undergoing UFE can be achieved by changing the number of frames per second in angiographic series, and by the routine use of radiological protection standards.
