New Treatments for Uterine Fibroids

Ultrasound guided high intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) ablation for uterine fibroids: Do we need the microbubbles?

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) on ultrasound guided high intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) ablation of uterine fibroids.

METHODS

Thirty-three patients (37 fibroids) were randomly assigned to two groups: group A (17 patients, 20 fibroids) in which CEUS was used before, during and after HIFU treatment, and group B (16 patients, 17 fibroids) in which CEUS was not administered at all. Follow-up including contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a clinical questionnaire was performed, and technical success, ablation efficacy, volume reduction and complications were assessed.

RESULTS

Technical success was 100% in both groups. CEUS revealed residual enhancement in 40% of the patients in group A and the treatment was continued until the completion of ablation. MRI at 1 month after treatment revealed significant difference in the relative fibroid volume reduction rate between the two groups: 16.1% in group A versus 4.8%, in group B (p = 0.01). There was no statistically significant relative volume reduction rate for the results at 3, 6 and 12 months and no significant changes in the quality of life results or the complication rate.

CONCLUSIONS

CEUS was safe and effective in enhancing US guidance during HIFU ablation of uterine fibroids. Moreover, the use of CEUS during HIFU sonication increased the ablation efficacy, leading to a more relevant fibroid volume reduction at 1 and 3 months. This gap disappeared after 6 months, when there were no differences between the two groups of patients at MRI. However, in our experience, USgHIFU represented a very effective method for the treatment of uterine fibroids, and the use of CEUS during HIFU procedure reduced the treatment time and treatment repetitions for incomplete fibroid ablation.

Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency thermal ablation of uterine fibroids: medium-term follow-up

Previous studies have shown that radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) of uterine fibroids through a percutaneous ultrasound (US)-guided procedure is an effective and safe minimally invasive treatment, with encouraging short-term results. The aim of this study was to assess the results in terms of volume reduction and clinical symptoms improvement in the midterm follow-up of fibroids with a diameter of up to 8 cm. Eleven premenopausal females affected by symptomatic fibroids underwent percutaneous US-guided RFA. Symptom severity and reduction in volume were evaluated at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. The mean symptom score (SSS) before the procedure was 50.30 (range 31.8-67.30), and the average quality of life (QOL) score value was 62 (range 37.20-86.00). The mean basal diameter was 5.5 cm (range 4.4-8) and the mean volume was 101.5 cm(3) (range 44.58-278 cm(3)). The mean follow-up was 9 months (range 3-12 months). The mean SSS value at the end of the follow-up was 13.38 (range 0-67.1) and the QOL 90.4 (range 43.8-100). At follow-up the mean diameter was 3.0 cm (range 1.20-4.5 cm), and the mean volume was 18 cm(3) (range 0.90-47.6 cm(3)). In 10 of 11 patients we obtained total or partial regression of symptoms. In one case the clinical manifestations persisted and it was thus considered unsuccessful. In conclusion, US-guided percutaneous RFA is a safe and effective treatment even for fibroids up to 8 cm.