BMJ  2007;335:720-722 (6 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.39251.440069.AD

Practice

Rational imaging

Uterine artery embolisation to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids

A Watkinson, professor of radiology1, A Nicholson, consultant radiologist2

1 Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and Peninsula Medical School, Exeter EX2 5DW, 2 St James's Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Leeds LS9 7TF

Correspondence to: A Watkinson Anthony.Watkinson@rdeft.nhs.uk

Women may now have another effective, safe, and minimally invasive treatment option for treating fibroids

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The patient

A 34 year old woman presented to her gynaecologist with menorrhagia associated with dysmenorrhoea and urinary frequency. She was nulliparous but had been trying to become pregnant for several years.


  • Uterine artery embolisation is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique for treating symptomatic uterine fibroids
  • Recent NICE guidelines support its use as an alternative to myomectomy or hysterectomy in women with symptomatic fibroids larger than 3 cm who wish to preserve fertility
  • The risk of hysterectomy or repeat uterine artery embolisation for treatment failure is around 10% at one year and 20-25% within five years
  • The risk of hysterectomy for complications is 2.9% at 12 months
  • The risk of premature ovarian failure is around 1-2% in most series but increases with age; it can approach 25% in women over 45


What is the next investigation?

Transabdominal or transvaginal ultrasound is the most commonly performed imaging test for investigating menorrhagia with dysmenorrhoea or pressure related . . . [Full text of this article]

Outcome

Uterine artery embolisation

Benefits

Adverse effects

Questions for further research


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to StumbleUpon StumbleUpon   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Some issues that need to be addressed
Woodruff J Walker, et al.
bmj.com, 7 Jan 2008 [Full text]
Issue Clarification
Anthony F Watkinson, et al.
bmj.com, 9 Jan 2008 [Full text]
Re: Issue clarification
Woodruff J Walker, et al.
bmj.com, 19 Feb 2008 [Full text]
Access jobs at BMJ Careers
Whats new online at Student BMJ