The message of a Monday morning interventional session at the RSNA meeting was clear: When it comes to embolization of uterine fibroids, all embolic agents are not created equal.
The message of a Monday morning interventional session at the RSNA meeting was clear: When it comes to embolization of uterine fibroids, all embolic agents are not created equal.
The success of uterine artery embolization (UAE), a minimally invasive treatment for fibroids, can be related to the type of embolic agent used, according to research conducted at Yale University Medical Center. Some agents show better results than others, said presenter Jorge Galvez.
The finding has important implications for women. Uterine fibroids are the most common type of tumor in the female reproductive system. Treatment options include hysterectomy and myomectomy, which removes the fibroids while sparing the uterus. Interest is growing in alternatives such as UAE, however, provided that treatment proves to be effective in the long term.
The Yale researchers compared long-term results, including recurrence of fibroids and fibroid-related symptoms, for UAE performed with three different agents:
sPVA has a smaller particle size than PVA.
The Yale study involved 247 women treated for UAE between 1999 and 2004. Of these, 101 patients met the inclusion criteria.
The researchers examined gadolinium-enhanced MR studies to assess fibroid volume six months (on average) after the UAE procedure. Residual enhancement on MRI indicated incomplete infarction of fibroids. They also surveyed patients about recurrence of symptoms and quality of life 27 months (on average) after the UAE.
With PVA, there was residual enhancement in 41% of cases and complete infarction in 59%. When sPVA was used, residual enhancement occurred in 75% of cases and complete infarction in 25%. With GM, residual enhancement was evident in 22% of cases and complete infarction in 78%.
The differences between sPVA and PVA, as well as between SPVA and GM, were statistically significant, Galvez said.
"Patients with sPVA were at higher risk of residual enhancement than those with PVA or GM," he said.
The patient survey also showed differences in recurrence of symptoms, but these differences were not statistically significant.
During the session, Galvez was presented with the Trainee Research Prize - Medical Student for his work on this study.
Stay at the forefront of radiology with the Diagnostic Imaging newsletter, delivering the latest news, clinical insights, and imaging advancements for today’s radiologists.
FDA Expands Approval of MRI-Guided Ultrasound Treatment for Patients with Parkinson’s Disease
July 9th 2025For patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease, the expanded FDA approval of the Exablate Neuro platform allows for the use of MRI-guided focused ultrasound in performing staged bilateral pallidothalamic tractotomy.
FDA Clears Virtually Helium-Free 1.5T MRI System from Siemens Healthineers
June 26th 2025Offering a cost- and resource-saving DryCool magnet technology, the Magnetom Flow.Ace MRI system reportedly requires 0.7 liters of liquid helium for cooling over the lifetime of the device in contrast to over 1,000 liters commonly utilized with conventional MRI platforms.