Objective: To investigate and quantify clinical outcomes and spectral Doppler analyses of uterine arteries in patients with myoma undergoing uterine artery embolization (UAE) with gelatin sponge particles and lipiodol.
Design: Prospective observational study.
Setting: Tertiary medical center.
Patient(s): Forty premenopausal women with symptomatic myoma.
Intervention(s): Uterine artery embolization with gelatin sponge particles and lipiodol.
Main outcomes measure(s): Hemoglobin, hematocrit, CA-125, pictorial blood loss assessment, visual analogue pain scale, questionnaire for symptoms, tumor volume, and spectral Doppler analyses of uterine arteries.
Result(s): The mean follow-up period was 8.1 months (range, 6-12). Menstrual flow improved in 29 of 35 patients (83%) and decreased significantly by 78.4%. Menstrual pain improved in 27 of 35 patients (77%) and decreased significantly by 70%. Hematocrit and CA-125 improved significantly. The mean percentage reductions of uterine and myomal volumes were 40.2% and 54.9%, respectively. The mean peak systolic velocity of the uterine arteries decreased by 52%. The major complication rate was 2.56%. There was no correlation between tumor volume reduction and clinical outcome.
Conclusion(s): Uterine artery embolization with gelatin sponge particles and lipiodol had satisfactory short-term outcomes, comparable to those associated with polyvinyl alcohol particles. Quantified and semiquantified measurements provided objective assessment of clinical outcomes. Serum CA-125 might play a role in clinical follow-up. Reduction of tumor volume is not predictive of UAE efficacy.