[Clinical observation of transcatheter uterine artery embolization for uterine myoma].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficiency and safety of transcatheter uterine artery embolization (TUAE) for uterine myomas.

METHODS

Thirty-eight cases of uterine myomas were treated by TUAE using lipiodol-pingyangmycin emulsion. 5 of 38 cases underwent hysterectomy or myomectomy from 1 to 3 weeks after TUAE. The specimens were studied pathologically. Thirty-three of 38 patients were followed for 3 to 6 months to observe the changes of myoma size and uterine volume and overian function.

RESULTS

Symptom released in 90.6% (29/32), that was controlled of menorrhagia in 90.3% (28/31), disappeared of lumbago and lower abdominal pain in 83.3% (25/30), relieved of freguency and urgency of micturition in 45.5% (5/11). The mean reduction of myoma and uterine volume at 6 months was 59.1% and 49.3%, respectively, and at 12 months was 61.8% and 49.9% respectively. There was no significant difference in hormone level pre-embolization and post-embolization. Pathological studies of specimens showed that lipiodol deposition was found in myomas but not in myometrium. Myomas occurred spotty necrosis 2 weeks after embolization and extensive patchy necrosis 3 weeks after embolization. Degeneration or necrosis were not seen in myometrium.

CONCLUSIONS

TUAE possesses a good effect for uterine myomas and doesn't result in the damage of ovarian hormone secretion and the myometrium.