Evaluation of Effect on High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for Treatment of Uterine Leiomyoma Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography

[Purpose] To assess the efficacy of high intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU) for the treatment of uterine leiomyoma using contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging. [Methods] Thirty-two patients with 42 lesions of uterine leiomyoma were enrolled. All cases underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) before and after treatment, and all cases underwent CEUS again after treatment for 6 months. The patients were followed up from 6 to 12 months. [Results] Twenty-nine of the 42 lesions were found no enhancement in CEUS procedure, which indicated tumor necrosis. Mean uterine leiomyoma volume before treatment were 28.3 cm3 in this group. At 6-month follow-up, mean uterine leiomyoma volume decreased to 11.5 cm3 (P0.05). Twenty-nine lesions were found no enhancement too in CEUS procedure after treatment for 6 months and the area of no enhancement reduced. Mean uterine leiomyoma volume of 13 lesions which remained enhancement in CEUS procedure were 40.7cm3 and decreased to 36.5cm3 at 6-month follow-up (P0.05). The area which remained enhancement in CEUS procedure did not reduced after treatment for 6 months. Thirteen lesions were found. [Conclusion] CEUS can help to assess the therapeutic response of HIFU and indicate the position of residual tumors during the additional treatment.