Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation for Treatment of Uterine Fibroids

Purpose: To assess the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation to reduce symptoms of uterine fibroids. Materials and Methods: 17 premenopausal women with symptomatic uterine fibroids despite conventional medical treatment were included. The assessment of symptoms and characteristics of fibroids by vaginal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed before starting treatment and 6 months after the procedure. Successful treatment was clinically considered if patients reported a reduction in symptoms 6 months after RF myolysis. Successful treatment was also considered if the necrosis of the fibroid was greater than 50%, 6 months after treatment. Results: The baseline score on visual analogue scale (VAS) for dysmenorrhea and intermenstrual pain was 5.76 ± 3.31 and 3.0 ± 3.4, respectively. According to a score of 0 - 3, baseline bleeding during menstruation was 2.29 ± 0.92. Six months after RF myolysis, the VAS for dysmenorrhea was 2.75 ± 3.32 (p = 0.004), whereas for intermenstrual pain it was 1.38 ± 2.56 (p = 0.02). Menstrual bleeding was reduced to 1.13 ± 0.89 (p = 0.005). Clinical success of the treatment was evident in 11 (64.7%) of the 17 patients with a 95% CI [38.6%, 84.7%]. Fourteen patients underwent MRI monitoring 6 months post-myolysis. Compared to baseline fibroid volume, ultrasound and MRI volume were 57.38% and 79.66% six months after surgery, respectively. A total of 13 patients (92.86%) had radiological success from the treatment (95% CI [64.2%, 99.6%]). Conclusion: Since percutaneous RF myolysis reduces volume and symptoms of uterine fibroids, it may be considered as a valid treatment for symptomatic fibroids.