Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of hysteromyoma before and after uterine artery embolization

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Objective To explore the significance of signal and volume change from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of hysteromyoma before and after uterine artery embolization (UAE) in the therapy evaluation. Methods MRI was performed in 30 patients (50 hysteromyoma) before and 3,6 and 12 months after UAE. They were grouped by location, signal and size. The MRI signal changes and the hysteromyoma's volume reduction ratio were measured. Results After 3,6,12 months, MRI of hysteromyoma was changed significantly, and all hysteromyomas had lower T2WI signals than before, some of which had higher T1WI signals. Hysteromyoma's volumes were progressively reduced, the majority of which shrinked significantly within 3 months. Evaluated by 12 month's volume changes, significant volume reduction was found in submucous fibroids, and significant difference was showed compared with intramural fibroids and subserosal fibroids (88.9 % vs. 73.7 % and 68.3 %, P=0.036, P=0.019), meanwhile,the latter two had no significant difference (P= 0.384). The volume reduction rate in rich cell fibroids was higher than those in ordinary no degeneration fibroids and degeneration type, and there were significant differences (85.7 % vs. 72.1 % and 63.4 %, P=0.038, P= 0.014). Besides, the latter two had no significant difference (P=0.364). Large fibroids shrinked more obviously than small ones with significant difference (75.2 % vs. 59.6 %, χ2=4.563, P=0.044). Conclusion MRI is useful for the evaluation of efficacy in hysteromyoma before and after UAE, which can provide the better interventional treatment for the patients in regard to different sensitivity of hysteromyoma to UAE. Key words: Leiomyoma; Magnetic resonance imaging; Uterine artery embolization