RFA, embolization protocol safely treats large fibroids

Reducing fibroid volume with radiofrequency ablation and then embolizing the fibroids is safe and feasible, according to a study presented at the 2005 RSNA meeting.

Dr. Hyun Kim and Jason Tsai of Johns Hopkins treated 22 symptomatic patients with large subserosal fibroids with RFA and uterine fibroid embolization. They used an RF probe up to 5 cm.

They achieved RFA target ablation size and temperature in 95.5% (21/22) of patients. A mean fibroid volume reduction of 49% was achieved (549 cc pretreatment versus 280.8 cc post-treatment). After one day, an MR scan in 10 patients showed no extra-uterine organ damage, as well as no infection, hemorrhagic complication, or fluid in pelvis or peritoneum. One patient developed delayed minimal drainage via RFA probe skin access, which resolved spontaneously over two days.

Follow-up at one year has revealed no significant morbidity, positive symptom severity scores, and few complications.