11 Dic 2018
EmbolizationUFE’s EVOLUTION
UFE is always in continuous improvement. Here we explain why.
You have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, and you have been given an option: hysterectomy. Thirty years ago, this scenario would have been a common nightmare come true for women suffering from fibroid-related symptoms.
Fortunately, other minimally invasive treatment options have emerged. Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is one of these options. Since it was introduced within the United States in 1997 as a novel approach to the treatment of fibroids, EMU has improved dramatically. From better tools to better pain management, UFE continues to be a safe and effective non-surgical treatment option for fibroids.
The procedure
Unlike surgery, UFE involves an interventional radiologist will insert a catheter through the groin, maneuvering it through the uterine artery, and injecting the embolic agent into the arteries that supply blood to the uterus and fibroids. As the fibroids die and begin to shrink, the uterus fully recovers.
Since its debut more than 28 years ago, UFE has been improved. Technological advances in the materials and tools used during the procedure have benefited both physicians and patients.
THE FUTURE
Advances in diagnostic imaging techniques have also made UFE an excellent approach to fibroid treatment. Ultrasound has generally been used to diagnose fibroids, but over time other imaging techniques have been found to be more accurate. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the current primary choice among interventional radiologists, provides information that ultrasound can’t. Studies have shown that it is better than ultrasound when it comes to looking at the size of the uterus, the location of the fibroid, and the number of fibroids.
These pieces of information are important in determining if a woman is a good candidate for UFE and in ruling out other causes of pelvic pain and bleeding.