Medical Physics Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Medical Physics, including details on medicine, radiotherapy, biomechanics, medical imaging.

Laparoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of uterine fibroids.

Milic A, Asch MR, Hawrylyshyn PA, Allen LM, Colgan TJ, Kachura JR, Hayeems EB

Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, 657 University Avenue, Mulock Larkin Wing, Room 1-042, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.

Four patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids measuring less than 6 cm underwent laparoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using multiprobe-array electrodes. Follow-up of the treated fibroids was performed with gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and patients' symptoms were assessed by telephone interviews. The procedure was initially technically successful in 3 of the 4 patients and MRI studies at 1 month demonstrated complete fibroid ablation. Symptom improvement, including a decrease in menstrual bleeding and pain, was achieved in 2 patients at 3 months. At 7 months, 1 of these 2 patients experienced symptom worsening which correlated with recurrent fibroid on MRI. The third, initially technically successfully treated patient did not experience any symptom relief after the procedure and was ultimately diagnosed with adenomyosis. Our preliminary results suggest that RFA is a technically feasible treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids in appropriately selected patients.

Published 26 May 2006 in Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol, 29(4): 694-8.
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