Uterine arterial embolization for the treatment of adenomyosis

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of treatment by uterine arterial embolization on adenomyosis. Methods Fifteen cases of adenomyosis were treated by uterine arterial embolization. The 3.0 F or 4.0 F Cobra catheter was placed separately into the both uterine arteries with polyvinyl alcohol foam particles(PVA) as the embolic agent. The patients were followed up at 1,3,6 and 12 months postoperatively. Results The menorrhagia was controlled and the symptoms of anemia were relieved in all the patients. The blood flow within the uterine foci decreased immediately after embolization shown on color Doppley flow imagings. Conclusions Uterine arterial embolization is an effective and less invasive way to treat adenomyosis.