Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Uterine Fibroid Embolization 

A nonsurgical, uterus-sparing treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids.  

Who should consider UFE?  

  • Women who want a nonsurgical treatment for uterine fibroids that cause symptoms such as:
    • Menorrhagia, heavy bleeding 
    • Constipation 
    • Urinary frequency and urgency 
    • Bloating 
    • Heaviness 
  • Women who want an alternative to hysterectomy for fibroids 
  • Women who can’t have surgery due to medical reasons, including not able to receive blood products 
  • Women who need to minimize time away from work or family while being treated 
  • Women who are not planning to become pregnant 
  • Women who are unable to become pregnant due to uterine fibroids 

How does UFE work? 

  • UFE blocks blood flow to the arteries that feed fibroids, treating all fibroids at once 
  • Over time, as the fibroids regress, symptoms improve 

What can I expect?  

  • UFE is a minimally invasive endovascular procedure done in an overnight visit to the hospital. 
  • There are no large incisions or scarring. 
  • At Summit IR, we perform UFE utilizing special techniques to maximize comfort during and after the procedure so you can return home and to normal activities quickly 
  • UFE has a 90% success rate for significant or complete resolution of symptoms 

Please contact the Summit Radiology Interventional Clinic today if you are interested in learning more about uterine fibroid embolization. 

Phone: (260) 702-8229 

Email: IR_Clinic@summitrad.com 

 

Further Reading:  

  1. Long-term risk of fibroid recurrence after laparoscopic myomectomy (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25016181) 
  2. Minimally invasive uterine fibroid treatment safer and as effective as surgical treatment (https://www.sirweb.org/media-and-pubs/media/news-release-archive/sir-2019-ufe-032519/) 
  3. Uterine Fibroid Embolization Helps Restore Fertility (https://press.rsna.org/timssnet/media/pressreleases/14_pr_target.cfm?ID=1951) 
  4. Minimally invasive, less expensive treatment for uterine fibroids underutilized (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170306092746.htm) 
  5. Uterine Artery Embolization: A Treatment Option for Symptomatic Fibroids in Postmenopausal Women (https://www.jvir.org/article/S1051-0443(06)00782-2/fulltext) 
  6. Uterine Artery Embolization in Patients with a Large Fibroid Burden: Long-Term Clinical and MR Follow-up (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/40908917_Uterine_Artery_Embolization_in_Patients_with_a_Large_Fibroid_Burden_Long-Term_Clinical_and_MR_Follow-up) 
  7. Cost and Distribution of Hysterectomy and Uterine Artery Embolization in the United States: Regional/Rural/Urban Disparities (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29099026/) 
  8. Nonsurgical fibroid treatment: Research shows improved sexual desire, function (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160403152103.htm) 
  9. Fibroid Institute of Texas (fibroidfree.com)