Magnetic resonance imaging T2WI hyperintense foci number and the prognosis of adenomyosis after high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between the number of hyperintense foci of T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and the efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in the treatment of adenomyosis.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study enrolled 102 patients with adenomyosis. Participants were classified into two groups: 50 patients in whom the number of hyperintense foci on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2WI was more than five were placed in the >5 group and 52 patients in whom the number of hyperintense foci on MRI T2WI was five or fewer were placed in the ≤5 group. Uterine fibroid symptoms (UFS) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were recorded as indicators for the course of adenomyosis treatment.

RESULTS

Among the enrolled patients, 84 received HIFU treatment and were followed up. At 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after HIFU treatment, the UFS score of women in the >5 group was higher than that of the patients in the ≤5 group (P < 0.05). The ablation rate of MRI T2WI in the hyperintense foci ≤5 group was higher than the hyperintense foci >5 group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Number of MRI T2WI hyperintense foci is a factor affecting the ablation rate and the clinical efficacy of HIFU treatment in women with adenomyosis. It is likely to be a predictor of the efficacy of HIFU in adenomyosis treatment.