Effectiveness and complication rates of high intensity focused ultrasound treatment for abdominal wall endometriosis: A systematic review

Elisabeth R. Knorren, Knorren ER, de Ridder LA, Larissa A. de Ridder, Ingrid M. Nijholt, Nijholt IM, Jeroen R. Dijkstra, Dijkstra JR, Braat MNGJA, Manon N G J A Braat, Judith A F Huirne, Huirne JAF, Boomsma MF, Martijn F. Boomsma, Schutte JM, Joke M. Schutte
European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology · 2024 · vol. 297 , pp. 15–23 · doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2024.03.029 · PMID:38555851 · W4393204210
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This systematic review found ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound effective for abdominal wall endometriosis, reducing pain with minor complications and a 12.8% recurrence rate, comparable to surgical excision in limited-quality studies.

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Abstract

In this review, a systematic literature search on the effectiveness and complication rates of ultrasound-guided and magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USg-/MRgHIFU) for abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) was conducted in six databases in May/June 2023. Original articles of (non)randomized trials, cohort studies, case-control studies and case series published in peer-reviewed journals were included. Of the included studies the level of evidence (LoE) and methodological quality using the ROBINS-I and IHE-QAT was assessed. Primary outcomes were non-perfused volume ratio (NPV%), lesion size, pain scores, side effects and complication rates according to Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) guidelines. Secondary outcomes were recurrence and re-intervention rates. Seven cohort studies (one of good methodological quality) (LoE 3) on USgHIFU were included (n = 212, AWE lesions = 240-245). Six months after USgHIFU treatment, pain scores were reduced with 3.3-5.2 points (baseline: 5.1-6.8, n = 135). Self-limiting side effects were pain (85.7 % (114/133)) and swelling (34.6 % (46/133)) in the treatment area. Complications occurred in 17.7 % (32/181), all of which were minor. Recurrence occurred in 12.8 % (11/86). Three of these seven cohort studies compared USgHIFU (n = 61) with surgical excision (n = 74). Pooled results showed no significant differences in pain scores, complications (resp. 26.3 % (10/38) vs. 32.6 % (15/46) (p = 0.53)) and recurrences (resp. 4.9 % (3/61) vs. 5.4 % (4/74) (p = 0.90)). This systematic review suggests that HIFU is an effective and safe treatment option for AWE. USgHIFU treatment led to reduced pain scores and lesion size, was free of major complications and had a pooled recurrence rate of 12.8 %. Compared to surgical excision pooled results showed no significant differences in pain scores, complications and recurrences after USgHIFU. However, many of the included studies had limitations in their methodological quality and therefore the results should be interpreted with caution. Well-structured high-quality randomized controlled trials comparing HIFU to standard care should be conducted to provide more conclusive evidence.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall

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Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

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