Role of uterine artery embolization in the treatment of uterine fibroids
Abdelgawad I.A.I. Sakr, Ashraf M. Enite, Saad R.A. Al-Wahed, Yasser A. AhmadBackground and aim
Uterine leiomyomas represent a major source of gynecological morbidity in women of reproductive age. This investigation was undertaken to assess the clinical outcomes and procedural effectiveness of uterine artery embolization (UAE) as a fertility-preserving, minimally invasive intervention for women presenting with symptomatic fibroids.
Patients and methods
A prospective cohort of 50 women diagnosed with symptomatic uterine leiomyomata was enrolled between November 2021 and 2023. Each participant completed a comprehensive preprocedural clinical assessment and pelvic MRI. The UAE was performed via bilateral femoral arterial access using calibrated polyvinyl alcohol embolic particles (355–700 μm). Outcomes were evaluated at 3 months through repeat MRI volumetry and standardized symptom scoring.
Results
The cohort had a mean age of 41.23 years. Heavy menstrual bleeding constituted the predominant indication (74%), with bulk-related pressure complaints in 18% and pelvic pain in 8% of cases. Three-month follow-up demonstrated a statistically significant mean reduction in total uterine volume of 48.9% (
Conclusion
UAE is a safe, technically reliable, and highly effective nonsurgical option for the management of symptomatic uterine fibroids, delivering substantial volumetric reduction and meaningful clinical improvement. These findings support its role as a first-line treatment for appropriately selected women who wish to preserve uterine function.