Francesca Lacelli MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Luca Maria Sconfienza MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Michela Gravano, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Nicola Gandolfo, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Paolo Gazzo, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Giovanni Serafini MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To describe CEUS findings before and after SUFE and to understand if CEUS can play a role in the assessment of outcomes and in SUFE follow up.

We assessed 45 fibroids in 24 patients by CEUS immediately before and after embolization directly in the angiographic room. Due to fibroids size (range 3.5 to 9 cm, mean size 5.2 cm), all ultrasound examinations were performed with a transabdominal approach. We assessed only the three largest fibroids in case of multiple lesions. In all patients, a single bolus of contrast agent (4.8 ml of SonoVue®, Bracco, Italy) was injected. Follow up protocol included CEUS evaluation after one month and CEUS and dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) evaluation after six months.

In 43/45 cases, CEUS showed total devascularization of the fibroids immediately after embolization, with non significant intralesional signals delayed in comparison to myometrial enhancement. In 2/45 cases of multiple lesions, one among the embolized fibroids mantained its vascularization. These findings are consistent with angiographic data and with the purpose of performing a complete devascularization. No recurrence was observed during follow up. One patient reported the reappearance of symptoms after 18 months and CEUS showed the persistence of intralesional vascularization.

CEUS is effective to demonstrate the degree of vascular occlusion at the end of SUFE procedures. CEUS findings correlate with clinical results at 1 and 6 months. CEUS is reliable and cost-effective if compared to MR.

CEUS is reliable and cost-effective if compared to MR.

Lacelli, F, Sconfienza, L, Gravano, M, Gandolfo, N, Gazzo, P, Serafini, G, Evaluation of Predictive Effectiveness of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) Assessment before and after Superselective Uterine Fibroids Embolization (SUFE).  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5008171.html