Reena C. Jha

Long-Term Outcome of Uterine Artery Embolization of Leiomyomata

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term outcome from uterine artery embolization for leiomyomata. METHODS: In a prospective study, 200 consecutive patients treated with uterine embolization were each followed for 5 years. Outcome, including symptom status compared with baseline, reinterventions, menstrual status, and satisfaction were recorded. Summary statistics were used to report baseline characteristics and outcome at each interval. Predictors of subsequent interventions, failure, and satisfaction with treatment were analyzed using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models. Failure was defined as subsequent hysterectomy, definitive myomectomy, repeat embolization, or failure of symptom improvement at the patient’s final follow-up interval. RESULTS: Of the 200 patients initially treated, 5-year follow-up was completed in 182 (91%), with 18 patients missing. At 5 years after treatment, 73% had continued symptom control, whereas 36 (20%) had failed or recurred. There had been 25 hysterectomies (13.7%), 8 myomectomies (4.4%), and 3 repeat embolizations (1.6%). Long-term failure was more likely in those not improved at 1 year (relative risk [RR] 5.73; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.32–14.12, P < .001) and in those with baseline leiomyoma volumes greater than the median (RR 2.18; 95% CI 1.05–4.51, P = .036). After adjustment, patients in the first tertile of leiomyoma volume reduction (≤ 30.5%) were 3 times more likely to be dissatisfied with outcome compared with women in the third tertile (≥ 56.3% volume reduction) (RR 3.23; 95% CI 1 07–9.81, P = .037). CONCLUSION: Uterine embolization provides durable symptom relief for most patients, with a 25% chance of failure of symptom control or recurrence over the course of a 5-year follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-3

Spherical Polyvinyl Alcohol versus Tris-acryl Gelatin Microspheres for Uterine Artery Embolization for Leiomyomas: Results of a Limited Randomized Comparative Study

PURPOSE To compare the outcomes of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for leiomyomas with use of tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (TAGM) versus spherical polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients undergoing UAE were randomly assigned to receive TAGMs or PVA. Embolization was performed in a standardized manner. Outcome data were collected at 3 months after embolization, including assessment of clinical symptoms, scores from a fibroid tumor-specific symptom and quality of life (QOL) questionnaire, and findings on contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, including the degree of tumor infarction and volume reduction. Data were analyzed with use of t tests, the Mann-Whitney U test, and chi2 tests as appropriate. RESULTS Thirty-six patients were treated. There were no differences in the two treatment groups at baseline. Clinical follow-up was obtained in 35 patients. Among the clinical outcome measures, QOL score improvement was greater for UAE with TAGMs compared with PVA (49.0 vs 27.9; P = .02), but no other differences were noted. Of the 25 patients in whom 3-month MR imaging follow-up was completed, those treated with TAGM were significantly more likely to have complete infarction of all leiomyomas (six patients vs one patient; P = .02), were more likely to have at least 90% tumor infarction (eight patients vs four patients; P = .03), and had a lower mean percent of residual perfused fibroid tumor tissue (9.6% vs 44.3%; P = .004) compared with patients treated with PVA. Based on these differences between the embolic agents, enrollment in this study was terminated. CONCLUSION The use of spherical PVA particles in the manner described herein results in an unacceptably high rate of failed tumor infarction in UAE.

Benign myometrial conditions: leiomyomas and adenomyosis.

Leiomyomas and adenomyosis are common benign myometrial conditions. Although their symptoms overlap, traditional treatment of these two entities differs; thus, making the correct diagnosis is critical. Specifically, uterine-conserving therapy is well established for many women with symptomatic leiomyomas, whereas hysterectomy is the treatment for debilitating adenomyosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most accurate modality for identifying leiomyomas and adenomyosis. T2-weighted sequences often are diagnostic. For leiomyomas, MRI reliably identifies their number, size, and location. These features help triage patients to appropriate therapy. For adenomyosis, MRI establishes the diagnosis in cases of equivocal or nondiagnostic ultrasounds. MRI also has been used to confirm an ultrasound diagnosis of adenomyosis when curative surgery is being considered. Intravenous gadolinium chelates are not necessary to make the diagnosis of either adenomyosis or leiomyomas, but it provides useful information about vascularity of lesions, a factor that may impact the type of treatment undertaken.

Influence of radiographic technique and equipment on absorbed ovarian dose associated with uterine artery embolization.

PURPOSE To evaluate the influence of pulsed fluoroscopy (PF), nonpulsed fluoroscopy (NPF), and various fluoroscopic techniques on the absorbed ovarian dose (AOD) associated with uterine artery embolization (UAE) of leiomyomata. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ovarian location was estimated from preprocedural pelvic magnetic resonance images of 23 patients previously treated by means of UAE. The AOD was measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) placed into an anthropomorphic phantom at the determined ovarian location. The following measurements from PF and NPF were obtained: 21.89 minutes of nonmagnified posterior-anterior fluoroscopy, 10 minutes of nonmagnified oblique fluoroscopy, 10 minutes of posterior-anterior magnified fluoroscopy, 10 minutes of combined oblique magnified fluoroscopy, and 47 simulated angiographic exposures. Numbers for nonmagnified posterior-anterior fluoroscopy time and exposure numbers were chosen from the average values from previous UAE procedures. AOD from pulsed and nonpulsed nonmagnified posterior-anterior fluoroscopy was compared to measurements from oblique magnified, posterior-anterior magnified, and oblique fluoroscopy. RESULTS AOD from NPF was, on average, 1.7 times higher than from PF. When compared with nonmagnified posterior-anterior fluoroscopy, the AOD from oblique magnified fluoroscopy was 1.9 times greater; the AOD from nonmagnified oblique fluoroscopy was 1.1 times greater. The AOD from oblique magnified fluoroscopy was 1.5 times higher on the side closer to the x-ray tube than on the contralateral side. AOD from serial angiographic exposures contributed only less than 7% to the total AOD for the average UAE procedure. CONCLUSIONS The AOD associated with UAE can best be reduced by limiting fluoroscopy time and the use of oblique or magnified fluoroscopy. Contribution of angiographic exposures to AOD is much less significant.

Staging of gynecologic malignancies.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is gaining momentum for staging gynecologic malignancies. MRI staging is an adjunct to clinical and surgical staging in women with cervical or endometrial cancer, respectively. For women with possible adnexal pathology, MRI is useful for lesion characterization. In patients with ovarian cancer, MRI determination of disease extent helps treatment planning, either as a surgical roadmap or to identify nonresectable patients.

3 T MRI uterine peristalsis: comparison of symptomatic fibroid patients versus controls.

AIM To compare uterine peristalsis between symptomatic fibroid patients and normal subjects and to determine the possible effect of fibroid characteristics on uterine peristalsis at high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study included 20 symptomatic fibroid patients (age range 39-53 years) and 20 normal subjects (age range 19-46 years). MRI images were obtained during the peri-ovulatory phase using 3 T MRI using a sagittal T2 turbo spin-echo sequence and a half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo sequence for display on cine mode. Two radiologists independently evaluated the images for the presence of uterine peristalsis by confidence level. In cases where peristalsis was present, the images were also evaluated for peristalsis frequency and direction. For fibroid patients, uterine and index fibroid volume, fibroid burden and index fibroid location were also recorded. RESULTS Uterine peristalsis was significantly decreased in symptomatic fibroid patients compared with normal controls (p < 0.01). Peristalsis frequency in fibroid patients was also lower than in normal subjects. Direction of peristalsis was cervix-to-fundus for the majority of fibroid patients and controls. There was no significant relationship between fibroid characteristics, such as uterine volume, index fibroid volume, index fibroid location, and fibroid number in fibroid patients with, and fibroid patients without peristalsis. CONCLUSION In women with symptomatic fibroids, the presence of uterine peristalsis is significantly decreased compared to normal controls on 3 T cine MRI. The presence of fibroids appears to disturb the normal conduction of uterine peristalsis and may interfere with fluid (e.g., menses, sperm) transport.

Comparison of Uterine Peristalsis Before and After Uterine Artery Embolization at 3-T MRI

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to compare uterine peristalsis before and after uterine artery embolization (UAE) on a 3-T MRI system. SUBJECTS AND METHODS MRI scans were prospectively performed for 20 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids (age range, 39-53 years) before and after UAE in the periovulatory phase with a 3-T scanner. Sagittal T2 turbo spin-echo sequences and a HASTE sequence were obtained. Sixty HASTE images were obtained for 3 minutes to display on cine mode. Two radiologists independently evaluated the datasets for the presence of uterine peristalsis using a 5-point rating scale. When peristalsis was present, the direction and frequency were recorded. The images were also evaluated for index fibroid location before and after UAE, index fibroid volume, uterine volume, and fibroid burden estimate. RESULTS The presence and frequency of uterine peristalsis increased after UAE for both readers, but was significant only for the presence of uterine peristalsis. The majority of patients had peristalsis in the cervix-to-fundus direction. In six cases, uterine peristalsis emerged after UAE. Uterine volumes before UAE were significantly smaller in these six cases compared with the remaining 14 cases, though no significant difference was found in the reduction rate of the uterus or fibroid volumes. The index fibroid was intramural in three of the six cases with interval appearance of peristalsis. The fibroid was solitary in four of the six cases. CONCLUSION Cine MRI at 3 T may show recovery of uterine peristalsis in some women with symptomatic fibroids after successful UAE.

Chapter 27 – Cancer of the Adnexal Organs

IMAGING HIGHLIGHTS □ Ovarian cancer screening for the general population remains problematic because of low disease prevalence and relatively low specificity of the available screening tests. Screening of high-risk populations may be appropriate.