Inflammatory response in patients undergoing uterine artery embolization as compared to patients undergoing conventional hysterectomy.

Background: Uterine fibroids are benign tumors seen in 20-40% of women of childbearing age, and these fibroids are usually treated by hysterectomy. During the last decade, embolization of the uterine arteries with polyvinyl alcohol microparticles has become an alternative treatment.

Purpose: To investigate whether uterine artery embolization generates a reduced inflammatory response as compared with conventional hysterectomy.