Interventional Radiology

Uterine fibroid embolization

What is uterine Fibroid embolization?

Uterine Artery Embolization is a percutaneous, nonsurgical treatment for uterine leiomyomas (fibroids). Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors which may lead to a condition called abnormal uterine bleeding — causing heavy menstrual cycles. Alternatively, large fibroids can press on adjacent organs, such as the bladder and cause pelvic pain. During embolization, tiny particles are injected into the artery that serves as the sole supplier of blood to the tumor in the uterus. This is done until the artery is blocked off (embolized). Once blocked, the fibroid becomes deprived of oxygen and shrinks in size.

How do i prepare and how is it performed?

Eat sensibly the night before. Consuming something that’s easy to digest is important because you don’t want to be evacuating your bowels regularly following the procedure due to the use of pain medications.

Do not eat or drink anything past midnight. You will be instructed when to arrive on the morning of the procedure. After registering, you’ll be sent to the Special Procedures Area (SPA), where an intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your arm. A tube will also be placed into your bladder.

Fluids, antibiotics and anti-nausea medications will be given prior to your procedure. You will then be sent to the Interventional Angiography Suite.

Here, you will meet doctors (Interventional Radiologists) and nurses/technologist trained in this procedure. You will be given sedation for relaxation and pain, but you will be remain conscious during the procedure.

The Radiologist will begin placing a small catheter (tube) into an artery in your groin. He or she will then perform an angiogram which will look specifically at the arteries in your pelvis that supply blood to the uterus. After these arteries are identified, the catheter is directed into the branch of the artery known for supplying blood to the fibroids.

Embolization particles are injected until the artery is blocked. Both uterine arteries will be treated in this manner. Once completed, the catheter is removed.

Most women have moderate cramping for one to three days after the procedure. Total recovery time is approximately one week.

How does Embolization work?

The uterus is unique in having multiple blood supplies. When a fibroid grows in the uterus, it receives almost all of its blood supply from uterine arteries. Therefore, blocking agents injected into the uterine artery reach the tumor and cut off blood flow to the fibroid while other blood vessels continue to supply blood to the remaining healthy uterine tissues. With the blood supply blocked, the fibroid will shrink.

Almost all of our patients have some bruising around the site of entry into your artery. The mark will appear dark brown and yellow just like any other bruise. It is also normal to have some spotting in the first week/month after an embolization.

Following embolization and discharge from the hospital, most patients experience some pelvic pain and cramping. We will give you medicine (Percocet and Toradol/Motrin) to help with these symptoms. Other patients have occasionally complained of nausea. If you feel an onset of nausea, you will be given medicine to take rectally (Phenergen).

Some of our patients have also experienced a low-grade fever. We ask that you take your temperature once a day, even if you don’t feel like you have a fever. If your body temperature climbs above 101 degrees Fahrenheit, please give us a call.

Serious complications for embolization are rare. In less that 1% of procedures, the fibroids or parts of the uterus may become infected or abscessed. In rare cases, a hysterectomy may have to be performed.

Will embolization help me?

Approximately 80% of patients will see a reduction in abnormal uterine bleeding and pelvic pain. Early figures here in the USA and in Europe suggest the fibroids do not recur after embolization.

If you seek additional information or would like toschedule a uterine fibroid embolization consultation, please contact our clinical coordinator at 505-559-5653.

Four Things to know about a Uterine Fibroid Embolization

-It’s a non-surgical and a minimally invasive treatment option

-Your uterus remains intact

-There are lower complication rates and also reductions in pain and blood loss

-There is generally reduced recovery time where most patients return home the same day and return to everyday activities within a week

Service Locations

Uterine Fibroid Embolization is available at El Camino Imaging Center, X-Ray Associates at Farmington and X-Ray Associates at Santa Fe.