Superselective uterine arterial embolization with pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion for management of symptomatic uterine leiomyoma

Background Uterine arterial embolization (UAE) is a safe and effective therapy for symptomatic uterine leiomyoma. This study was to assess the effectiveness and the feasibility of pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion (PLE) for the management of symptomatic uterine leiomyoma. Methods One hundred consecutive patients (aged 21-53 years,with 38 in average) with symptomatic uterine leiomyoma underwent superselective UAE with PLE. Clinical symptoms of the patients (including menorrhagia,bulk-related symptoms,and postprocedure-related abdominal pain) and the changes in uterine volume and tumor size after the embolization were analyzed. The patients were followed up for 8-21 months (mean,15 months). Results Ninety-nine patients (99%,99/100) were interviewed in their first menses circle after embolization,showing improvements in their abnormal bleeding and bulk-related symptoms to some extent. Imagiological results during follow-up showed a mean of 48% reduction in uterine volume at 6 months and a mean of 75% reduction in tumor size at 9 months. Eighty-three percent of the patients reported complete resolution of postprocedure pain within 7 days. Conclusions PLE is effective in the management of uterine leiomyoma,having superiority in alleviating postprocedure-related pain.