UK Radiological Congress, Manchester, 6th June 2004
PURPOSE: We present the findings of a multi-centre prospective study of the use of MR guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery in the treatment of symptomatic fibroids.
MATERIALS/METHODS: Patients who presented to the gynaecology clinics in the participating hospitals with symptomatic fibroids and who would have otherwise been offered surgery were considered for MRgFUS. Seven sites participated in the study. 108 women met the inclusion criteria and were recruited. In this series up to four fibroids were treated in any one patient. The maximum planned treatment volume was stipulated as 100 cm3 per fibroid or 150 cm3 per patient where multiple fibroids were treated.
RESULTS: Results at six months show a mean fibroid volume reduction of 13.5%. In comparison, clinical follow up demonstrates that 79.3% of patients have a greater than 10 point reduction in the UFS-QOL score (n=82, p<0.00001). Mean reduction in symptom severity score was 27.3, the majority occurring in the first 3 months. This improvement was seen in both menstrual bleeding and pressure symptoms. Symptom and quality of life scores were measured prior to treatment and at three and six months after treatment using the Uterine Fibroid Symptoms and Quality of Life questionnaire (UFS-QOL). Adverse events were monitored at follow up, using a structured interview.
CONCLUSION: We believe that MRgFUS is an effective, low risk, non-invasive treatment for a wide range of patients with symptomatic fibroids.
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