Effectiveness of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation in treating submucous fibroids: a clinical trail

Objective To evaluate the efficiency of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (UPMWA) in treating submucous uterine fibroids.Methods 19 patients with 19 submucous uterine fibroids were admitted from March 2009 to December 2012.Microwave antenna was inserted into the centre of fibroid percutaneously and work in a reasonable energy.After ablation,contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast enhanced magnatic resonance imaging (ce-MRI) were performed to evaluate the situation of fibroids and surrounding organs.Then fibroid's volume,hemoglobin level and the score of uterine fibroid symptom and quality of life (UFS-QOL) were recorded at pre-ablation,3-and 12-months after ablation.Side effects and complications were also assessed.Results 5 fibroids was identified as type 0,6 as type Ⅰ and 8 as type Ⅱ.8 of 19 patients had discharged necrotic tissues from vagina.Fibroid volume,hemoglobin concentration,the score of symptoms severity score(SSS) and health related quality of life (HRQL) changed from (78.75 ± 65.71)cm3,(89.50 ± 21.34)g/L,36.34 ± 17.65 and 54.38 ± 25.60 to (11.13±8.78) cm3(P =0.000),(124.60 ± 14.00)g/L (P =0.000),15.30 ± 13.58 (P =0.000) and 83.35 ± 12.28 (P =0.000) respectively.The main side effect is excessive fluid from vagina,most of the patients' fluid disappeared within 4 weeks after UPMWA,no major complications occurred after ablation.Conclusions UPMWA is a feasible,effective and safe therapy for submucous fibroids. Key words: Ultrasonography; Microwaves/therapeuticuse; Uterine neoplasms; Leiomyoma