Uterine Artery Embolization

 

Don't Let Fibroids Hold You Captive
Call: 954-987-9011

Uterine Fibroids are benign growths in the uterus which can cause excessive bleeding or large bulky masses which may be uncomfortable.

Richard Close, ARNP      Neal Joseph, M.D.

Uterine Artery embolization is a new treatment for Uterine Fibroids without surgery and without causing a scar. The procedure is done by making a small incision in the leg and introducing a catheter into the artery.

The procedure is done through a thin catheter placed though the artery in the leg (the femoral artery). The catheter is then threaded into uterine artery. Since there are two arteries, one on the right and one on the left, both arteries must be embolized with small particles which occlude the vessels to the fibroid. Over the next few weeks, since they no longer have blood flow, the fibroid then shrinks to a smaller size.

See the diagram below to see images of the vessel being occluded.

Once the arterial catheter is in place in the uterine artery, an initial angiogram is obtained by injection of radio-dense contrast material into the artery during rapid filming. (see images below).

After this, the small embolization particles called PVA are placed into the uterine artery causing occlusion of the small end vessels feeding the uterine fibroids. (see final result images)

< Diagram showing the catheter entering the femoral artery. The catheter is then advanced into the uterine artery near the fibroids.

Zoomed Up Diagram showing catheter in the uterine artery and small particles are occluding the blood vessels of the fibroid. (Above right)

Actual Case Demonstration:
Before and After Uterine Artery Embolization
The dark areas on the images below represents the contrast material flowing into the uterine fibroids.

Before embolization: Catheter in the Uterine Artery	After: (Final Result) Uterine Arteries Occluded
Final results above: Reduction in blood flow to the fibroids. The fibroids may take a few weeks to shrink. This Procedure is done by Interventional Radiologists and Staff at the South Florida Fibroid Center. Memorial Regional Hospital 3501 Johnson Street Hollywood, Florida 33021 954-987-9011