Uterine aterial embolization to treat uterine leiomyoma

Objective To assess the clinical effects of uterine arterial embolization on uterine leiomyoma.Methods We treated 21 patients with uterine leiomyoma by Seldinger's uterine arterial embolization. The 4.0 F Cobra catheter was placed into the double uterial arteries with Polyvinyl Alcohol Foam(PVA) particles as the embolizer. At 3 and 6 months postoperatively, we investigated the effects of the embolization. Results After uterine arterial embolization, the volume of uterine leiomyoma decreased and menorrhagia was under controlled. The symptoms of anemia and oppression were relieved. The physiologic functions of ovary and uterus were preserved completely.Conclusions Uterine arterial embolization is an effective and less invasive way to treat uterine leiomyoma.