Long-term Efficacy of Fibroid Devascularization with Ultrasound-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been increasingly used for treatment of uterine leiomyoma. The superiority of HIFU therapy targeting uterine leiomyoma blood vessels, however, still needs to be further explored. This study aims to evaluate the long-term efficacy of fibroid devascularization with ultrasound-guided HIFU (USgHIFU) and the effects of treatment on the ovarian reserve and endometrial injury.

Fibroid devascularization was assessed with the Adler grade obtained by color Doppler flow imaging and power Doppler imaging (PDI). The targeted vessels were covered and then sonicated by HIFU focal spots. The patients were followed up at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years after treatment. Adverse effects and complications were recorded. The non-perfusion volume rate (NPVR), fibroid volume shrinkage rate (FVSR), Adler Grade, symptom severity score (SSS) and uterine fibroid symptom and quality of life (UFS-QOL) were evaluated. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded. In Center 1, the enrolled patients completed the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) test before and at 6 months after treatment.

A total of 117 eligible patients were consecutively enrolled to receive interventions and follow-up evaluations of the three centers from January 2019 to May 2023. The 1-month and 6-month NPVRs were 66.60% ± 33.14% and 51.12% ± 39.84%, respectively. The mean FVSRs at 1 month and 6 months after treatment were 38.20% and 43.89%, respectively. No significant difference was observed in AMH levels before and after treatment (p > 0.05). No irreversible endometrial injury was observed in MR images after HIFU treatment. No significant difference was observed in both 1-month and 6-month FVSRs among Center 1, 2 and 3 (p > 0.05). No severe AEs occurred. For long-term outcomes, significant differences were observed in Adler grade, FV, FVSR, SSS, reduction in SSS and UFS-QOL before and after treatment (p < 0.001) whereas no significant difference was observed in Adler grade among 3 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years after treatment (p > 0.05). The SSSs were reduced by 33.42% at 1 year, 42.32% at 2 years and 52.46% at 3 years after treatment.

For patients with uterine fibroids, USgHIFU-induced devascularization is a safe and effective treatment option. It has little effect on ovarian function and the endometrial injury is reversible, which could be attractive for patients who plan to become pregnant.