Uterine Fibroids & Uterine Artery Embolization for Fibroids
How Can I Get Uterine Artery Embolization for Fibroids (UAE/UFE)?
What is the Process to get UAE/UFE?
Have your Family doctor or Gynecologist fax a consultation
letter requesting for a Uterine Artery Embolization Consult
for Fibroids including any lab or ultrasound results to The
Toronto Endovascular Centre at 416-929-0392.
What Does a Consult Involve?
A consultation involves a medical and focused fibroid history,
along with a limited physical exam and ultrasound. Based on
the history and ultrasound, a decision is made as to whether
the patient is a appropriate candidate for UAE/UFE. If the
patient is a candidate for the procedure, the risks and benefits
of the procedure are explained to the patient, and a procedure
date is selected and the appropriate paperwork for the procedure
to be performed is completed.
Is there any Cost for the Consult?
There is no cost for patient with active OHIP health coverage
or another provincial health insurance plan.
Where is the Procedure Performed?
UAE/UFE is performed at the Scarborough Hospital General Campus.
[view
map]
What tests need to be performed prior to the Procedure?
All patients will undergo the necessary blood tests, anesthesia
consultation and a MRI at the Scarborough Hospital General
Campus.
Is there any Cost for the UAE/UFE Procedure?
There is no cost as long as you have active OHIP coverage
or another provincial health insurance plan.
Uterine Artery Embolization for Fibroids Case Study
Sanjoy Kundu BSc., M.D., F.R.C.P.(C), D.A B.R., FASA, Division
of Interventional Radiology
Scarborough Hospital – General Division, Scarborough, Ontario,
Canada
Case History:
47 year old female presented with a one year history of very
heavy periods lasting for four days during each menstrual
cycle. Her past medical and surgical history was otherwise
unremarkable. A MRI demonstrated a dominant intramural
fibroid in the uterine fundus (Figure 1). After assessing the
different therapeutic options, the patient chose to go ahead
with a
Interventional Procedure (Case performed at Scarborough General
Hospital – General Campus):
Uterine Artery Embolization Procedure for her fibroids. The
patient’s right common femoral artery was accessed. Using
a C2 catheter, the patient’s left uterine artery was cannulated
(Figure 2). One and a half vials of Contour SE PVA measuring
500-700um was injected, until there was complete stasis in
the main left uterine artery (Figure 3). Cannulation of the
right uterine artery was also performed followed by injection
of one and half vials of Contour SE PVA.
 |
 |
| Figure 1 |
Figure 2 |
Outcome:
A nine month follow up MRI demonstrated greater than 50 percent
reduction in size of the index fibroid. The patient’s menstrual
cycles also normalized with no episodes of heavy bleeding
during her periods (Figure 4).
Comments:
Uterine artery embolization for fibroids is a attractive,
less invasive treatment for women with symptomatic fibroids.
Uterine artery embolization is a viable and effective alternative
to surgical myomectomy or hysterectomy, without the postoperative
risks of bleeding, ureteric injury or pulmonary thromboembolism.
 |
 |
| Figure 3 |
Figure 4 |
|
