Women with uterine fibroids remain in the dark about the potential benefits of uterine artery embolization more than a decade after the development of the nonsurgical treatment. Specialists contend that both ob/gyn providers and interventional radiologists should intensify efforts to educate women with the condition about their treatment options.
Women with uterine fibroids remain in the dark about the potential benefits of uterine artery embolization more than a decade after the development of the nonsurgical treatment. Specialists contend that both ob/gyn providers and interventional radiologists should intensify efforts to educate women with the condition about their treatment options.
In August 2004, the Wall Street Journal noted that many women never hear about the "hysterectomy alternative,- quoting studies from Northwestern and Yale universities to back up the claim.
"It's been almost four years, and not a whole lot has changed,- said Dr. John C. Lipman, director of interventional radiology at the Emory Adventist Hospital in AtlantaLipman released in March results of a study involving 105 consecutive patients seeking treatment in a large metropolitan fibroid practice. Patients were prospectively asked whether the gynecologist mentioned UAE as an option and, if not told, how they learned about the procedure. Findings revealed that only a third of these patients had been given UAE as an option. Lipman presented the study at the 2008 Society of Interventional Radiology meeting.
Of the 70 patients who were not told about UAE, 40 had learned about it through personal web research or radio advertisements.
"The Internet is a great information tool. But it is the physician's responsibility to talk about all treatment options, not just those that the gynecologist performs,- Lipman told Diagnostic Imaging.
There are some positive signs, however. The April issue of Contemporary OB/GYN featured a piece on the clinical benefits ofcollaboration between ob/gyns and IRs who treat women with fibroids. The publication reaches more than 40,000 U.S. ob/gyns. Several events dealing with the subject-including a UAE symposium at the last SIR meeting-have seen increasing participation from all specialists involved in the care of these patients, according to Lipman.
Work remains to turn things around, however, including more attention from the mainstream media and ob/gyn literature about UAE. Most important, IRs need to step up to the plate, Lipman said.
Study: AI-Generated ADC Maps from MRI More Than Double Specificity in Prostate Cancer Detection
June 5th 2025Emerging research showed that AI-generated ADC mapping from MRI led to significant increases in accuracy, PPV and specificity in comparison to conventional ADC mapping while achieving a 93 percent sensitivity for PCa.
Possible Real-Time Adaptive Approach to Breast MRI Suggests ‘New Era’ of AI-Directed MRI
June 3rd 2025Assessing the simulated use of AI-generated suspicion scores for determining whether one should continue with full MRI or shift to an abbreviated MRI, the authors of a new study noted comparable sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for biopsies between the MRI approaches.
Can Abbreviated MRI Have an Impact in Differentiating Intraductal Papilloma and Ductal Secretion?
June 3rd 2025For patients with inconclusive ultrasound results, abbreviated breast MRI offers comparable detection of intraductal papilloma as a full breast MRI protocol at significantly reduced times for scan acquisition and interpretation, according to a new study.