Outcome of magnetic resonance-Guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) for FIGO class 1 fibroids.

Objective: Intracavitary uterine fibroids and fibroids that distort the uterine cavity are associated with excessive vaginal bleeding and infertility. While intracavitary fibroids smaller than 4 cm are usually treated safely by operative hysteroscopy, larger fibroids may require multiple surgeries or more extensive surgery with possible damage to the integrity of the uterine wall. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) is a noninvasive approach for treating uterine fibroids, mainly the intramural type.

MR-guided focus ultrasound (MRgFUS) for symptomatic uterine fibroids: predictors of treatment success.

Study Question: What are the factors associated with long-term success in patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids treated by magnetic resonance-guided focus ultrasound (MRgFUS) and can they be employed to create a clinically useful index that predicts long-term efficacy?

Summary Answer: Hypo-intense fibroids on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and older age were associated with higher success rates and can be used to predict success rates on the basis of their presence or absence as pre-treatment parameters.

What Is Known Already: The signal intensity of baseline T2-weighted MRI images and non-perfused volume at the end of the treatment can be correlated with MRgFUS outcome.

Study Design, Size And Duration: This was a retrospective analysis of 81 patients who were treated by MRgFUS for symptomatic uterine fibroids, in an academic affiliated center between 2003 and 2008.