Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Abstract: Uterine fibroids are commonly asymptomatic. They often cause pelvic pain, abnormalandincreasedvaginalbleeding,etc.Traditionaltreatmentofsymptomaticuterine fibroids was trans-abdominal hysterectomy. Nowadays, uterine artery embolization (UAE), also called uterine fibroid embolization, is considered as a safe and highly-effective nonsurgical treatmentforwomenwithsymptomaticuterinefibroidtumors.AdvantagesofUAE over conventional hormonal suppression and surgical procedures include avoidance of the side effects of drug therapy and surgery-related physicaland psychological trauma. These patientscommonlyresumetheirnormalactivitieswithina weekaftertheprocedure;weeks earlier than that for trans-abdominal hysterectomy.Over the past30 years, interventional radiologistshavedoneUAEfor treatmentofemergencyuterinebleeding. Since1995, interventional radiologists have turned their attention to treatment of uterine fibroids with a similarprocedure.ThefirstfibroidembolizationinIranwasdoneapproximatelythreeyears ago. So far,more than100caseshavebeen treatedby thismethodand it isgoing tobe quicklyacceptedasa safealternateforsurgery.