Uterine Artery Embolization: Correlation between the Pre-embolization Leiomyoma Volume and the Duration of Post-Embolization Pain, Recovery and Return to Normal Life

Ziele: To test whether the duration of post-interventional pain, recovery and return to normal life correlates to the overall leiomyoma volume before uterine artery embolization. Methode: The study was performed on 33 females (mean age: 46.3 year±4.8, Range: 38–56) to whom successful bilateral UAE was done. All UAE interventions were performed by a single interventionist. The pre-embolization overall leiomyoma volume was calculated by adding the volumes of the individual leiomyomas in each patient using the formula for ellipsoid lesions (L X W X H X 0.523). Measurements were performed using contrast enhanced MRI. The duration of post-embolization pain, recovery duration and resumption of normal life (return to work) was reported by asking the patients when they returned for the 3 month follow-up examination. Ergebnis: The overall pre-embolization leiomyoma volume showed a mean volume of 147.9ml ± 99.8 (Range: 13.8–696.9ml). Post-embolization the reported duration of pain requiring the intake of analgesics showed a mean value of 2.58 days ± 0.95 (Range: 1–4 days). The reported recovery duration showed a mean duration of 4.7 days ± 1.48 (Range: 2–7 days). The reported duration required for resumption of normal life (ability to return to work) showed a mean duration of 6.5 days ± 2.27 (Range: 2–10 days). Statistical analysis showed no statistically significant correlation between the pre-embolization leiomyoma volume and the post-embolization duration of pain (rho=0.009379, p=0.96373), recovery (rho=0.083285, p=0.68585) or resumption of normal life (rho=0.002167, p=0.99162). Schlussfolgerung: There is no significant correlation between the pre-embolization leiomyoma volume and the duration of post-embolization pain, recovery or resumption of normal life.

Keywords: Uterine Artery Embolization, Recovery, Post-interventional Pain

Korrespondierender Autor: Naguib N

Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Hospital, Institut für diagnostische und interventionelle Radiologie, Theodor Stern Kai 7 Haus 23c, 60590 Frankfurt am Main

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