Three-dimensional dispersion entropy for uterine fibroid texture quantification and post-embolization evaluation

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging Analysis
• Quantitative Texture Analysis
• Women's Health

Background:

• Uterine fibroids cause significant quality of life issues.
• Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is an effective non-surgical treatment.
• Objectively measuring UFE's impact on quality of life is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and validate a novel texture analysis method, multiscale 3D dispersion entropy (MDispEn3D).
• To objectively quantify changes in uterine fibroids and patient well-being post-UFE.
• To assess quality of life, symptom severity, and sexual function after UFE.

Main Methods:

• Utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and clinical data from patients before and after UFE.
• Applied a novel multiscale 3D entropy-based texture analysis (MDispEn3D).
• Analyzed data at baseline (D0), 10 days post-UFE (D10), and 6 months post-UFE (M6).

Main Results:

• MDispEn3D showed an inverse correlation with fibroid size and volume.
• MDispEn3D at 6 months correlated inversely with symptom severity scores.
• Patient age and fibroma history influenced MDispEn3D values, indicating prognostic potential.

Conclusions:

• MDispEn3D offers an objective method to quantify fibroid texture changes post-UFE.
• This method can aid clinicians in predicting uterine fibroid prognosis and assessing patient quality of life.
• The findings support UFE as a favorable treatment option compared to invasive surgeries.