Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound for uterine fibroids: a preliminary experience

Abstract

The objective of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focussed ultrasound (HIFU) in the treatment of uterine fibroids. Twenty premenopausal women with symptomatic fibroids underwent ultrasound-guided HIFU therapy. Twenty-two fibroids with a median baseline volume of 127.0 cm³ (range 18.5–481.2 cm³) were treated. The percentages fibroid volume reduction were 46.9 (range −8.8–73.1) at 1-month, 57.4 (−51.5–95.2) at 3-month, 60.1 (−18.9–97.8) at 6-month and 75.9 (−33.7–99.3) at 12-month, after treatment. The modified Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life (UFS-QOL) scores were reduced by 40.7% (0–59.3%) at 3-month, 45.5% (0–70.4%) at 6-month and 44.9% (0–71.4%) at 12-month after treatment. Three patients required subsequent surgical interventions. No significant complications were encountered. Ultrasound-guided HIFU appears to be effective and safe for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids in selected patients.

Impact statement

• What is already known on this subject? Ultrasound-guided high-intensity focussed ultrasound (HIFU) is a relatively new uterine-sparing treatment for fibroids. Most clinical reports are from China, which suggest that this treatment is a safe and effective modality. However, in many other countries, HIFU treatment for fibroids, especially using ultrasound as image guidance, is still considered novel with limited clinical experience.

• What do the results of this study add? This preliminary report adds to our limited local experience on HIFU and provides reassurance on our continual utilisation of this treatment modality for fibroids. With the increasing demand of uterine-sparing alternatives, experiences shared among different countries are important to make this treatment modality generalisable and universally acceptable.

• What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research?Ultrasound-guided HIFU (USgHIFU) can potential be offered as an alternative treatment modality for women with fibroids.

Keywords:

• Fibroid
• high-intensity focussed ultrasound
• ultrasound-guided

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.