Pre-procedure Examination and Imaging

Patients must be seen by a gynaecologist who must agree that the patient needs the procedure.

An ultrasound is usually performed to confirm the diagnosis, but an MRI is almost always performed to accurately determine the number and position of the fibroids.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), also known as uterine artery embolization, is performed by an interventional radiologist, a physician who is trained to perform this and other types of embolization and minimally invasive procedures. It does not require general anesthesia.

The interventional radiologist gives the patient local anaesthetic into the skin in the groin and inserts a catheter into the femoral artery.

The interventional radiologist then guides the catheter using Xray guidance into the uterine arteries and injects tiny particles, into the uterine arteries that supply blood to the fibroid.

This blocks the blood flow to the fibroid tumor and causes it to shrink and die.

EXAMPLE UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION

The right common femoral artery was catheterised under sterile conditions. 4 French sheath was introduced with no complication. The left uterine artery was selectively catheterised and embolised with no complication. Attempted catheterisation of the ipsilateral right uterine artery were unsuccessful.

The left common femoral artery was then catheterised using the Seldinger technique. A 4 French sheath was introduced.

A catheter was then introduced into the right uterine artery. Particles were injected with no complication. Good result was achieved radiologically.

MRI pre and post UFE