Short-term results of transcatheter uterine artery embolization using lipiodol and gelfoam cubes for symptomatic uterine leiomyoma

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transcatheter uterine artery embolization (UAE) using lipiodol-gelfoam cube mixture for the treatment of symptomatic uterine leiomyomas. Fifty women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas underwent transcatheter bilateral UAE using lipiodol and gelfoam cubes. Ultrasonography was used to assess the size of uterus and the dominant fibroids before, at 4 month and 1 year after UAE. A questionnaire was obtained to assess patients' clinical outcome. Menorrhagia improved significantly or mildly in 37 (92.5%) of 40 patients at 4 months after embolization and 20 (95%) of 21 patients at 1 year after embolization. Bulk-related symptoms improved significantly or mildly in 24 (89%) of 27 patients at 4 months after embolization and in 13 (93%) of 14 patients at 1 year after embolization. The uterine and dominant fibroids volumes decreased by 35% and 51% at 4 months and 43% and 67% at 1 year respectively. Pain control was achieved easily by oral analgesics. One patient was readmitted because of sepsis and ulceration of the urinary bladder. UAE could be performed using a combination of lipiodol and gelfoam cubes with clinical results comparable to that obtained by traditional embolizers.