Uterine Artery Embolisation (UAE) for Treatment of Myomas

Preamble

Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) is an organ-conserving, established, safe and effective procedure in the physicianʼs toolbox for treating complaints due to myoma.

The aim of UAE is rather to reduce or eliminate complaints due to a myoma and not to remove the myoma. At the same time a reduction of the size of the myoma can be achieved.

There is agreement between the specialties gynaecology and interventional radiology that an indication for the required therapy in cases of uterus myomatosus is only given after expert examination by and consultation with a gynaecologist. A complete and comprehensive consultation on treatment options for symptomatic uterus myomatosus explicitly includes, besides the drug and surgical treatment options, also UAE. The decision for or against a therapeutic option should be made in consideration of the individual patientʼs wishes and with a full knowledge of other strategies, their chances of success, their limitations as well as their typical side effects and possible complications (informed consent).

In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, uterine artery embolisation provides a treatment option for complaints due to myomas that enables a further individualisation of the therapy for uterus myomatosus.

• References

• 1 Martin J, Bhanot K, Athreya S. Complications and reinterventions in uterine artery embolization for symptomatic uterine fibroids: a literature review and meta analysis. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2013; 36: 395-402
• 2 Toor SS, Jaberi A, Macdonald DB et al. Complication rates and effectiveness of uterine artery embolization in the treatment of symptomatic leiomyomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Roentgenol 2012; 199: 1153-1163