Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) stands out as an appropriate treatment for women in an article in the clinical therapy on Aug. 13 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. quot; UFE, or uterine artery embolization is a safe, effective and minimally invasive option for women to consider, quot; said coauthor Scott C. Goodwin, MD, an interventional radiologist. quot; This is especially important news for women of more than 300,000 U.S. who have hysterectomies performed annually to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids. Many of these women can confidently choose UFE, and this could significantly decrease the rate of hysterectomy in the United States. quot; Publication of this information ... most doctors will ask you to discuss all treatment options for symptomatic uterine fibroids, including UFE, quot; said. quot; UFE may be one of those options and the best way to determine this is to the patient and her gynecologist or primary care physician to consult with an interventional radiologist quot;, said Goodwin, who is professor and director of radiologic sciences University of California at Irvine. Interventional radiologists use MRI to determine if fibroids can be adequately embolization, in identifying potential alternative causes for symptoms, to rule out misdiagnosis, identify which treatments are most appropriate for each patient and avoid ineffective treatments, according to Goodwin and co Author James B. Spies, MD, professor of radiology and chief of the radiology department at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC quot; nonsurgical uterine fibroid embolization is truly a breakthrough in health mujerquot;, said Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), President of Brian F. Stainken, MD. quot; women considering surgical treatment should also obtain the opinion of a knowledgeable professional to determine whether UFE are candidates for treatment of radiology intervencionistaquot; said Stainken, an interventional radiologist who is also president of the Network Image Rhode Island and chairman of the diagnostic imaging department at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, RI quot; UFE is widely available, and Sir identifies interventional radiologists with expertise in this field as a directory of doctors in l�neaquot; added Stainken. In the article, the authors noted that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) UFE considered a quot; safe and effective option for women due seleccionadosquot;. ACOG says that women who want to choose UFE quot; must have a full assessment with an OBGYN to facilitate optimal collaboration with interventional radiologist and to ensure the adequacy of therapy, taking into account the reproductive wishes of the patient. quot; quot; Women can and should have confidence in the uterine artery embolization as a treatment option. Interventional radiologists can provide a second opinion to determine whether UFE is a treatment option quot;, Goodwin said The NEJM article begins with a case vignette that includes treatment recommendations, including a review of the benefits of treatment, major clinical studies, clinical use of this treatment and possible side effects, and ends with the coauthors of clinical guidelines. In this case, a gynecologist recommended a hysterectomy for an African American 45 years who had had an abnormal menstrual period heavy and prolonged and severe uterine pain during menstruation in the past 10 years. The patient does not want a hysterectomy and alternatives sought. She was referred to an interventional radiologist who ordered an MRI. Women often undergo a scan at the office of her gynecologist, as part of the evaluation process to determine the presence of uterine fibroids. However, an MRI provides additional benefits, said Goodwin. Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that can cause prolonged, heavy menstrual bleeding can be severe enough to cause anemia or require transfusion, disabling pelvic pain and pressure, urinary frequency, pain during intercourse, and miscarriage. Twenty to 40 percent of women over 35 have uterine fibroids of significant size, African American women are at higher risk for fibroids. br br
