Uterine artery embolization in patients with symptomatic diffuse leiomyomatosis of the uterus

Six patients with symptomatic diffuse uterine leiomyomatosis underwent technically successful uterine artery embolization. After a median follow-up of 16 months, five women presented with permanent alleviation of symptoms and a normalized quality of life according to the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life questionnaire. Magnetic resonance imaging showed impressive recovery of the myometrium, and the infarcted leiomyomas shrank and were partially expelled. No additional treatment was necessary. Failure of therapy occurred in one patient with atypical growth of fibroid tumor tissue shortly after embolization, which was suspicious for malignancy. Hysterectomy was performed and pathologic evaluation revealed benign leiomyomatosis.