148Blood flow changes after uterine artery embolization in the treatment of adenomyosis and myomis: preliminary report

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively the changes of blood flow following permanent embolization of uterine arteries using polyvinyl alcohol in the treatment of uterine adenomyosis or myomas. Methods From August 1998 to May 1999, 114 cases of uterine artery embolization were performed for the patients having symptomatic adenomyosis ( n = 63) or myomas ( n = 51). They were underwent baseline ( n = 114) and follow‐up ultrasound on 1 week ( n = 106), 3 ( n = 102) and 6 months ( n = 23) after embolization. The peak systolic velocity (PSV) and resistive index (RI) were calculated in the isthmic portion of uterine arteries and intratumoral vessels. Results One week after embolization, uterine blood flow was markedly decreased comparing with pre‐embolization status. After 3 months, blood flow was recovered up to 56% of pre‐embolization state but not increased significantly on 6 months examination. Color flow was not detected within the myomas after embolization. Changes in PSV and RI Pre 1 week 3 month 6 month PSV (cm s −1 ) 54.7 23.0 30.5 32.0 RI 0.76 0.84 0.80 0.79 Conclusion Uterine blood flow was markedly decreased immediately after embolization and increased up to the half level of pre‐embolization status on 3 months examination.