Uterine artery embolization for severe symptomatic fibroids: effects on fertility and symptoms.

STUDY QUESTION: Does uterine artery embolization (UAE) permit fertility in childbearing women who have extensive symptomatic fibroids and are not eligible for surgery? SUMMARY ANSWER: Although UAE was effective in improving bleeding, bulking and pain symptoms, and in sparing the ovarian reserve, no woman in this study delivered successfully after UAE. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Although pregnancies have been reported after UAE, the actual fertility rate after this treatment remains uncertain. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This prospective cohort study included 66 women who desired a future pregnancy and were treated with UAE for symptomatic fibroids. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: This cohort of consecutive patients had extensive symptomatic fibroids but were not eligible for abdominal myomectomy because of fibroid recurrence despite previous surgery, because of current risks of surgery, or because of patient refusal. The patients were enrolled in a tertiary referral center for fibroid treatment. All patients had a pre-operative ovarian function assessment and underwent bilateral superselective embolization of both uterine arteries using 500-1200 µm Tris acryl microspheres. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Fibroid symptoms including menorrhagia (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.02-0.27), metrorrhagia (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.39), pain (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.03-0.22) and bulk syndrome (OR 0.02, 95% CI 0.01-0.07) were significantly improved after UAE. According to magnetic resonance imaging, the dominant fibroid volume decreased by 31.8% (95% CI 12.2-51.3%). Ovarian reserve demonstrated no change after embolization. Thereafter the women were prospectively followed, and 31 of them (aged 37.3 ± 3.5 years) were actively trying to conceive. In spite of 33.4 ± 14.5 months of attempts, only 1 in 31 women became pregnant and she finally miscarried (monthly fecundability rate 0.1% 95% CI 0-0.3%). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The high rate of associated infertility factors in our population, and the high frequency of previous surgery, could in part explain these poor reproductive outcomes; however, they should not account for the total absence of ongoing pregnancy. Embolization might have had a negative impact on fertility in our population, which may not be related to ovarian function. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The low reproductive outcomes reported in the present study suggest that UAE should not be performed routinely in young women of childbearing age with extensive fibroids. Although this finding was established in a population for whom abdominal myomectomy was declined, a possible adverse effect of UAE on fertility potential should be considered for woman of childbearing age scheduled for embolization. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): No particular funding was obtained for this study and the authors have no conflict of interest.

[Current indications for uterine artery embolization to treat postpartum hemorrhage]. / Place actuelle de l'embolisation artérielle dans la prise en charge des hémorragies graves du post-partum immédiat.

Uterine artery embolization is an interventional radiology technique successfully used for more than 30 years in the management of gynecological or obstetrical hemorrhage. Precise indications for uterine artery embolization to treat postpartum hemorrhage have been recently published. Uterine artery embolization is indicated in case of uterine atony despite medical treatment particularly after vaginal delivery, in case of vaginal thrombus or cervical tear after failed surgical repair. Embolization can also be discussed in case of persistent hemorrhage after arterial ligation or hysterectomy. Finally, arterial embolization can be attempted in case of placenta accreta to avoid hysterectomy. In all situations, pluridisciplinary management of patients with involvement of interventional radiologists, anesthesiologists and obstetricians is mandatory. Early transportation of patients for embolization should be discussed taking into consideration time of onset of hemorrhage, expected transfer time and treatment options available on site. For validated indications, success rates of arterial embolization as high as 80% can be expected in experienced hands.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma: Results of a French national survey on current practices.

PURPOSE: To report current practices of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) by interventional radiologists (IR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through a French national survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic survey was sent by e-mail to 232 IRs performing TACE in 32 private or public centers. The survey included 66 items including indications for TACE, technical aspects of TACE, other locally available treatments for HCC, follow-up imaging and general aspects of interventional radiology practices. RESULTS: A total of 64 IRs (64/232; 27%) answered the survey. Each IR performed a mean of 49±45 (SD) TACE procedures per year. Marked variations in indications for TACE in HCC were observed. Six percent of IRs (4/64) treated only patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B HCC. Antibioprophylaxis was not used by 43/64 of IRs (67%). The number of HCC nodules was considered to select conventional TACE versus drug-eluting beadsTACE (DEB-TACE) by 17/49 IRs (35%) followed by patient performance status and Child-Pugh score by 6/49 IRs (12%). Seventy-three percent of IRs (45/62) treated nodules selectively in patients with unilobar disease with cTACE. Thirty-three percent of IRs (21/64) planned systematically a second TACE session. Doxorubicin was the most frequently used drug (52/64; 81%) and 15/64 IRs (23%) used gelatine sponge as the only embolic agent. For DEB-TACE, 100-300µm beads were used by 26/49 IRs (53%) and no additional embolization was performed by 19/48 IRs (39%). Monopolar radiofrequency technique was widely available (59/63; 94%) compared to selective internal radiation therapy (37/64; 58%). Magnetic resonance imaging was used for follow-up by 13/63 IRs (20%). CONCLUSION: Current practices of TACE for HCC varied widely among IRs suggesting a need for more standardized practices.

[Embolization of localized pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in adults]. / Embolisation des malformations artérioveineuses pulmonaires localisées de l'adulte.

OBJECTIVES: To report our experience using embolization in managing localized pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in adults. MATERIAL: and methods. All patients presenting with localized pulmonary arteriovenous malformations treated with embolization were included in the study. Clinical presentation (respiratory symptoms and previous history of paradoxical embolism) and the characteristics of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (single or multiple, location, diameter of the afferent artery and simple or complex angioarchitecture) before embolization were analyzed. The details of the procedure, including the number of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations embolized, the number of coils used, and the type of intraoperative complications were recorded. Postembolization clinical and imaging follow-up were described. RESULTS: Forty-two patients (26 women, 16 men; mean age, 45 years), including 36 with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia were treated with embolization. Twenty-two patients (53%) were dyspneic and 12 (29%) had a previous history of paradoxical embolism prior to embolization. Forty-seven procedures were carried out on a total of 99 pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (mean, 2.3 per patient), using 530 coils (12.6 per patient). The pulmonary arteriovenous malformations were located in the lower lobes in 60% of cases and a simple architecture was reported in 81% of cases. The average diameter of the afferent artery was 6mm. No preoperative complications were reported. After embolization, two patients (5%) presented with a paradoxical embolism and five patients out of 22 (23%) remained dyspneic. The rate of complete occlusion of treated arteriovenous malformations was 92% using computer tomography. CONCLUSION: Embolization is a highly effective and safe technique for treating pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Improvement in dyspnea and prevention of paradoxical embolism can be expected. A high technical success rate can be obtained by experienced interventional radiologists.

Release of ibuprofen from beads for embolization: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Ibuprofen (IBU) loaded polyvinyl alcohol-based hydrogel beads (IBU-BB) were designed to alleviate side effects such as inflammation and pain following uterine artery embolization for the treatment of leiomyomata. The present in vitro and in vivo study examines whether IBU-BB provide a sustained-release of the drug. In vitro release studies of IBU from IBU-BB (10, 50, 100 mg/mL), IBU solution (PEDEA) and IBU powder were compared using the T apparatus and the beaker method. The pharmacokinetic profile of IBU release was examined in vivo, following sheep uterine artery embolization with 100 mg/mL IBU-BB or after intra-arterial injection of IBU solution. IBU-BB can deliver high concentrations of the drug over time. The in vitro release from IBU-BB was markedly slower compared to IBU solution. Increasing the concentration of loaded IBU from 10 to 100 mg/mL decreased the rate of release. IBU release from the T apparatus was slower than the release in the beaker. In vivo, the release of the drug was progressive, without the early peak observed with IBU solution. A high level of correlation was obtained between in vivo and in vitro (T apparatus) results. Theoretically, IBU-BB could sustainably release high concentrations of IBU at the site of the uterine fibroids, which makes it a promising approach for the control of post-embolization pain.

[Management of life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage: indications and technique of arterial embolization]. / Prise en charge des hémorragies graves du post-partum: indications et techniques de l'embolisation artérielle.

Pluridisciplinary management of women with postpartum hemorrhage is mandatory in order to precisely assess initial seriousness, to maintain hemodynamic parameters and to confirm the cause of bleeding. Embolization should be offered only after exploration of the uterine cavity, inspection of the vagina, cervix and perineum and failure of uterotonic drugs. Embolization should be carried out in an angiography suite under constant monitoring of the patient by the anesthesiologist. Indications to perform arterial embolization include uterine atony particularly following a vaginal delivery, cervico-uterine hemorrhage, cervicovaginal lacerations (previously repaired or if surgical repair has failed) and vaginal thrombus, particularly in case of associated coagulopathy. Arterial embolization is effective in about 85% of cases. Placenta acccreta can also be successfully managed with arterial embolization as an alternative to hysterectomy. Unilateral femoral approach allows selective study of both internal iliac arteries and branches. Selective embolization of both uterine arteries should be ideally performed. In case of spasm or difficult catheterization, embolization of the anterior division of both internal iliac arteries should be considered. In case of bleeding from the cervico-vaginal region, selective evaluation and embolization of cervicovaginal branches should be performed. In case of failure or recurrence of bleeding, ovarian and round ligament arteries should be evaluated. In most cases, resorbable gelatin sponge pledgets should be used to perform embolization. The use of microcatheters and non resorbable embolization agents should be considered by trained interventional radiologists in case of placenta accreta or vascular lesions. After embolization, the patient should be transferred to the intensive care unit for further observation in order to offer emergent surgical procedure or another session of embolization in case of recurrence of bleeding.

[Renal lymphangiectasia, a rare case of perirenal infiltration]. / La lymphangiectasie rénale, un cas rare d'infiltration périrénale.

Renal lymphangiectasia is a bilateral cystic infiltration of the perirenal and parapelvic space which is caused by the obstruction of the renal lymphatic tissue. To our knowledge only numbers have been reported in the literature. Renal lymphangiectasia usually asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed has absolutely no effect on the patient outcome. Radiological imaging is typical so that the diagnosis does not need to be confirmed by a cyst punction. The lack of knowledge concerning renal lymphangiectasia make it usually confused with another cause of polycystic renal infiltration, such as the polycystic kidney disease. We report herein a case of renal lymphangiectasia diagnosed incidentally by an abdominal ultrasonography.

Arterial blood supply to the uterus in nonpregnant sheep: a pertinent model for clinical practice?

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to study the arterial supply to the sheep uterus to compare its similarity with that of women and to evaluate the interest of this animal model for training in uterine artery embolization. METHODS: Ten nonpregnant sheep underwent aortography and selective study of the ovarian, internal iliac, uterine, and vaginal arteries. RESULTS: The uterus was supplied mainly by the uterine arteries in all sheep. The ovarian artery, which was identified in five sheep, had a thin anastomosis with the ipsilateral uterine artery at the tubal junction. The vaginal artery provided blood flow to the inferior part of the cervix and anastomosed with the ipsilateral uterine artery. CONCLUSIONS: Because uterine vascularization of nonpregnant sheep is similar to that of women, the sheep represents an appropriate model for experimental uterine artery embolization. This model should be used for interventional radiologists in training not familiar with endovascular navigation inside pelvic arteries.

[Uterine fibroids. Embolization: state-of-the-art]. / Les fibromes utérins. Embolisation: pratiques actuelles.

Uterine artery embolization is a radiological procedure consisting in occluding the perifibroid arterial plexus to induce fibroid ischemia. To date, with more than 50,000 women treated worldwide, embolization seems to be a valuable alternative to hysterectomy and multiple myomectomies particularly in women with severe menorrhagia. Embolization should ideally be performed in case of intramural or submucosal uterine fibroids. It must be preferrably realized in case of multiple fibroids, be they intramural or submucosal (when hysteroscopic resection is not feasible). Complication rates are low if large calibrated microspheres are used to perform embolization and if pedunculated subserosal fibroids are excluded. In case of associated adenomyosis clinical recurrence seems more frequent. The role of embolization as an alternative to a single myomectomy, particularly in young women desiring future pregnancy remains a matter of debate and should be evaluated with clinical randomized trials. Pluridisciplinary management of women is the key to a widespread acceptance of uterine artery embolization in the management of uterine fibroids.

[Embolization of uterine fibroids and infertility: is a clinical trial conceivable?]. / Embolisation des fibromes utérins et infertilité: un essai clinique est-il envisageable?

Uterine artery embolization is a recent technique intended for treating uterine fibroids, as an alternative to hysterectomy. The possible side effects putting at stake the prognosis of fertility after embolization are considered as a brake to its use for the treatment of infertility associated with myoma. Secondary hysterectomy and permanent amenorrhea are the two main risks. But they are not so frequent and can be prevented. To date, the experience in the field of fertility and pregnancy after arterial embolization for fibroids is quite limited. However, first results are encouraging and not very different from those observed after surgical myomectomy. A therapeutic trial using arterial embolization for the management of fibroids within a context of infertility can be devised in the presence of submucosal or intramural myomas responsible for metromenorrhagia and with no major infertility factors associated. It is likely that uterine artery embolization should provide results equivalent or superior to those of surgical myomectomy in case of numerous and intramural fibroids with no prevailing myoma. Arterial embolization could be also interesting in case of recurrent myoma after laparotomic myomectomy.

[Hepatocarcinoma invasion of the portal vein: detection using lipiodol computed tomography. Apropos of 2 cases]. / Envahissement tumoral de la veine porte par un hépatocarcinome: détection par la tomodensitométrie lipiodolée. A propos de deux cas.

Portal vein involvement is a major complication of hepatocellular carcinoma and has an important impact on management and prognosis. Iodized-oil computed tomography is a well-established imaging technique for the pretherapeutic assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma because it allows detection of the primary tumor site and any daughter nodules. We report two cases of hepatocellular carcinoma extending to the portal vein which was documented by iodized-oil computed tomography. In both cases, tumor thrombus demonstrated marked retention of the iodized-oil on computed tomography. Our two cases demonstrate that iodized-oil computed tomography can depict portal vein extension of hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, these two cases suggest that iodized-oil retention within the portal vein is a clue to the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

[Pseudotumor form of focal acute pyelonephritis]. / Forme pseudotumorale de la pyélonéphrite aiguë focale.

Two cases of focal acute pyelonephritis presenting with an unusual pseudo-tumoral appearance on CT are reported. The lesions exhibited a focal intra-parenchymal homogeneous round-shape mass without any other parenchymal or perirenal fat CT abnormalities. The final diagnosis of focal acute pyelonephritis was confirmed on following CT scans which demonstrated the total disappearance of the lesions in both cases. This particular appearance of acute focal pyelonephritis which mimicked a renal tumor should be clearly individualized in the terminology based on CT findings.

[Rectal malignant stromal tumor (leiomyosarcoma): echoendoscopic, computed tomographic aspects and anatomopathologic correlations]. / Tumeur stromale maligne rectale (léiomyosarcome): aspects échoendoscopique, tomodensitométrique et corrélation anatomopathologique.

We report the CT and endorectal us features of a malignant stromal tumor of the rectum (leiomyosarcoma). On CT scan, rectal leiomyosarcoma appeared as a large soft tissue mass, arising from the anterior rectal wall with exorectal extension. On endorectal US, the rectal leiomyosarcoma presented as a well-defined hypoechogenic and heterogeneous mass arising from the rectal muscularis propria. The uncommon location of leiomyosarcoma to the rectum may simulate other rectal tumors such as adenocarcinoma on CT. As suggested by this report, endorectal us demonstrated the muscular origin of the tumor.

[Uterine artery embolization: anatomical and technical considerations, indications, results, and complications]. / Embolisation Utérine. Anatomie, technique, indications, résultats et complications.

The first reported use of transcatheter arterial embolization in the management of intractable bleeding related to pelvic trauma appeared in the literature in 1973. Other indications for pelvic embolization in women include postoperative and postpartum hemorrhage and bleeding related to gynecologic malignancy. Recently, the use of uterine artery embolization in the management of symptomatic leiomyoma has been reported as an alternative to surgery. The widespread acceptance of this procedure necessitates greater knowledge of the arterial anatomy of the female genital tract. In this paper, main arterial variations in uterine vascularization and procedure-relevant technical considerations will be discussed. Indications, results and potential complications of uterine artery embolization will be listed and explained.

[Imaging of primary carcinoid tumor of the pancreas]. / Imagerie des tumeurs carcinoïdes primitives du pancréas.

PURPOSE: To describe the imaging features of primary carcinoid tumors of the pancreas. Materials and Methods. The sonographic and computed tomographic examinations of six patients with pathologically proven primary carcinoid tumor of the pancreas were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In all cases, sonography showed hypoechoic and well circumscribed tumors. CT scan demonstrated hypoattenuating tumors on noncontrast images, with variable enhancement on postcontrast images. Small tumors (less than 2cm in diameter) were homogeneous whereas larger tumors were heterogeneous with areas of cystic necrosis. In two cases, enlarged lymph nodes were found in association with ascitis. In one case, hepatic metastases were present. CONCLUSION: Primary carcinoid tumors of the pancreas display various and non specific imaging features. Small tumors are likely to be homogeneous and hypervascular whereas larger tumors are heterogeneous and hypovascular.

[Computed tomography of intrahepatic pancreatic pseudocysts]. / Tomodensitométrie des faux kystes pancréatiques intrahépatiques.

PURPOSE: Intrahepatic pseudocyst complicating pancreatitis is a rare event. The goals of this paper are to report the computed tomographic (CT) features of intrahepatic pseudocyst and to analyze the role of percutaneous puncture and percutaneous drainage in the diagnosis and treatment of intrahepatic pseudocyst. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three cases of intrahepatic pseudocyst studied by CT were retrospectively reviewed. Percutaneous puncture of the intrahepatic pseudocyst was performed in two cases, and was subsequently followed by percutaneous drainage of the intrahepatic pseudocyst in one case. RESULTS: In the three cases, intrahepatic pseudocysts appeared like multiple, hypoattenuating, homogeneous intrahepatic fluid collections, associated with intrahepatic bile duct dilatation in one case. In the two cases in which it was performed, percutaneous puncture of the pseudocyst revealed an elevated amylase level, thus confirming the diagnosis. In one case, percutaneous puncture revealed superinfection, thus indicating percutaneous drainage of the pseudocyst. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of intrahepatic pseudocyst should be suggested in the presence of pancreatic lesions and a single or multiple intrahepatic fluid collections visible on CT. CT allows percutaneous puncture of the pseudocyst to be done, thus confirming the diagnosis and indicating subsequent performance of percutaneous drainage in complicated cases.

[Management of life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage: indications and technique of arterial embolization]. / Prise en charge des hémorragies graves du post-partum: indications et techniques de l'embolisation artérielle.

Pluridisciplinary management of women with postpartum hemorrhage is mandatory in order to precisely assess initial seriousness, to maintain hemodynamic parameters and to confirm the cause of bleeding. Embolization should be offered only after exploration of the uterine cavity, inspection of the vagina, cervix and perineum and failure of uterotonic drugs. Embolization should be carried out in an angiography suite under constant monitoring of the patient by the anesthesiologist. Indications to perform arterial embolization include uterine atony particularly following a vaginal delivery, cervico-uterine hemorrhage, cervicovaginal lacerations (previously repaired or if surgical repair has failed) and vaginal thrombus, particularly in case of associated coagulopathy. Arterial embolization is effective in about 85% of cases. Placenta acccreta can also be successfully managed with arterial embolization as an alternative to hysterectomy. Unilateral femoral approach allows selective study of both internal iliac arteries and branches. Selective embolization of both uterine arteries should be ideally performed. In case of spasm or difficult catheterization, embolization of the anterior division of both internal iliac arteries should be considered. In case of bleeding from the cervico-vaginal region, selective evaluation and embolization of cervicovaginal branches should be performed. In case of failure or recurrence of bleeding, ovarian and round ligament arteries should be evaluated. In most cases, resorbable gelatin sponge pledgets should be used to perform embolization. The use of microcatheters and non resorbable embolization agents should be considered by trained interventional radiologists in case of placenta accreta or vascular lesions. After embolization, the patient should be transferred to the intensive care unit for further observation in order to offer emergent surgical procedure or another session of embolization in case of recurrence of bleeding.

[Management of severe post-partum hemorrhage using selective arterial embolization]. / Prise en charge des hémorragies graves du post-partum par embolisation artérielle sélective.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of uterine embolization in the management of intractable post-partum hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 1994 to December 1997, 51 patients with severe primary (n = 37) or secondary (n = 14) post-partum hemorrhage were treated by arterial uterine embolization. In all cases, hemostatic uterine embolization was performed because of persistent hemorrhage despite adapted obstetrical measures and early introduction of uterotonic drugs. RESULTS: In case of immediate post-partum hemorrhage, primary and secondary success rates were 89% et 97% respectively. In one patient with placenta accreta, delayed hysterectomy was necessary. One patient died of associated cerebral hemorrhage while vaginal bleeding had stopped. The success rate reached 100% in case of secondary post-partum hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Emergency arterial embolization is a safe and effective means of controlling severe post-partum hemorrhage after failure with medical treatment.

[Primary epiploic appendicitis: CT diagnosis for conservative treatment]. / Les appendicites épiploïques primitives: diagnostic tomodensitométrique pour un traitement conservateur.

OBJECTIVE: Primary epiploic appendicitis is an uncommon, self-limited disease with spontaneous resolution. Diagnosis is usually made at surgery as the disease is generally mistaken for acute appendicitis or sigmoid diverticulitis. CT allows a non-invasive diagnosis, thus avoiding unnecessary surgery. The condition can be managed conservatively with the use of analgesic drugs only, and clinical evolution is uneventful. The aim of this study is to report the CT features of this pathologic process before and after medical treatment by analgesics. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Six patients (4 men and 2 women aged from 23 to 70 year old mean; 29 year old) underwent abdominal CT scan because of acute abdominal pain located in the left lower quadrant (n = 3) and right lower quadrant (n = 3). No patient had fever. Laboratory findings were normal in all cases. Follow-up CT scans were obtained in 4 patients respectively at 2, 4, 8 and 80 weeks. RESULTS: CT scan showed in all cases a fatty mass located to the anterolateral wall of the colon, delineated by an hyper attenuating rim. Infiltration of the pericolic fat was noted in all cases. Follow up CT scans obtained in 4 patients showed that the inflammatory signs had cleared in all cases, the lesion had disappeared (n = 2), decreased in size (n = 1) or a residual paracolic node was observed (n = 1). CONCLUSION: Primary epiploic appendicitis is a rare disease. Knowledge of CT signs allowed the correct diagnosis and a conservative management.