Symptomatic fibroleiomyomata: MR imaging of the uterus before and after uterine arterial embolization.

PURPOSE

To determine the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of uterine fibroleiomyomata after uterine arterial embolization (UAE) and identify pretreatment MR imaging features that may be predictive of successful UAE.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

T1- and T2-weighted and dynamic gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images were obtained before and 3 months after UAE in 31 patients. Up to five fibroleiomyomata (total of 125) were evaluated for volume, location, signal intensity characteristics, and vascularity. Region-of-interest curves were used to assess the vascular enhancement pattern of each fibroleiomyoma and adjacent myometrium. Each patient completed a questionnaire on symptoms 3 months after UAE.

RESULTS

UAE resulted in significant reductions in mean uterine volume (from 588.6 to 393.1 cm(3)) and mean fibroleiomyoma volume (from 69.4 to 41.4 cm(3)) (P <.005). After UAE, lesions showed signal intensity changes consistent with hemorrhagic infarction. The vascularity of fibroleiomyomata was decreased (P <.001), with no significant change in myometrial vascularity. Submucosal location was a strong positive predictor of fibroleiomyoma volume reduction (P < 001). When a reduction in vascularity was the measure of success, hypervascularity was a strong indicator of success (P <. 005).

CONCLUSION

MR imaging is useful for quantitative assessment of signal intensity and morphologic changes before and after UAE. Pretreatment MR imaging findings may help predict the success of the procedure.