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Medical Care
Uterine Fibroid
Embolization
By Jeffrey Hilger, M.D.
Interventional radiologist
Jeffrey Hilger, M.D. is one
of four physicians who
perform UFE at the
Washington Hospital.
For more information,
please call the Washington
Hospital Interventional
Radiology Department at
724.223.3059.
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in the
muscular walls of the uterus. While fibroids do not always cause
symptoms, their size and location can lead to problems for some
women, including pain and heavy bleeding.
Appropriate treatment depends on the size and location of the fibroids, as well as the severity of symptoms. Drug therapy is often the first step in treatment. If fibroids do not respond to drug therapy, other treatment options include hysterectomy or uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). UFE is a minimally invasive procedure performed while the patient is conscious but sedated.
For most women affected by fibroids, it’s a matter of lifestyle. They are usually in their 40s, very active, and want to stop dealing with the heavy periods and the pain. And for women who do not want to have a hysterectomy, UFE is an excellent alternative.
Patients must first get a pelvic MRI to ensure that fibroid tumors are the cause of symptoms and to fully assess the size, number and location of the fibroids. The interventional radiologist also works closely with the patient’s gynecologist for pre- and post-op care.
Here’s how UFE works. The interventional radiologist makes a small nick in the skin in the groin and inserts a catheter into an artery.
Using a moving X-ray, the interventional radiologist guides the catheter through the artery to the uterus. Tiny synthetic particles – about the size of grains of sand – are injected into the artery that is supplying blood to the fibroid. This cuts off the blood flow and causes the fibroid(s) to shrink. The procedure takes 60 to 90 minutes.
Patients are kept in the hospital overnight for observation, and most go home the morning after the procedure. Most women experience moderate to severe pain and cramping in the first several hours after the procedure. The discomfort is controlled by pain medication delivered through an IV.
Once home, most women resume light activities in a few days and are able to return to normal activities within one week.
Appropriate treatment depends on the size and location of the fibroids, as well as the severity of symptoms. Drug therapy is often the first step in treatment. If fibroids do not respond to drug therapy, other treatment options include hysterectomy or uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). UFE is a minimally invasive procedure performed while the patient is conscious but sedated.
For most women affected by fibroids, it’s a matter of lifestyle. They are usually in their 40s, very active, and want to stop dealing with the heavy periods and the pain. And for women who do not want to have a hysterectomy, UFE is an excellent alternative.
Patients must first get a pelvic MRI to ensure that fibroid tumors are the cause of symptoms and to fully assess the size, number and location of the fibroids. The interventional radiologist also works closely with the patient’s gynecologist for pre- and post-op care.
Here’s how UFE works. The interventional radiologist makes a small nick in the skin in the groin and inserts a catheter into an artery.
Using a moving X-ray, the interventional radiologist guides the catheter through the artery to the uterus. Tiny synthetic particles – about the size of grains of sand – are injected into the artery that is supplying blood to the fibroid. This cuts off the blood flow and causes the fibroid(s) to shrink. The procedure takes 60 to 90 minutes.
Patients are kept in the hospital overnight for observation, and most go home the morning after the procedure. Most women experience moderate to severe pain and cramping in the first several hours after the procedure. The discomfort is controlled by pain medication delivered through an IV.
Once home, most women resume light activities in a few days and are able to return to normal activities within one week.
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P. O. Box 301
Presto, PA 15142
phone 412.257.0340
fax 412.257.0302
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All information contained in this publication is protected by copyright, and is owned by either McKee Magazines, Inc or a third party. Any and all information, trademarks, trade names, logos, designs and images are protected by U.S. Copyright and Trademark Laws. Reproduction, distribution, transmission or other unintended use of the material contained herein is prohibited without the express permission of the publishers of McKee Magazines. All rights reserved.
The views, opinions and commentaries contained herein are not necessarily those of McKee Magazines, Inc.
Also publishers of The Chartiers Valley Source, The South Fayette Source, and The Northern Washington Source.
McKee Magazines, Inc.
P. O. Box 301
Presto, PA 15142
phone 412.257.0340
fax 412.257.0302
website www.mcmags.com
