MR-guided High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Treatment for Symptomatic Uterine Leiomyomata Long-term Outcomes

A recent article published in the Journal of Academic Radiology, discusses the study results of 3 years of follow-up after the treatment with ExAblate for uterine fibroids.

The purpose of the article was to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-g HIFU) treatments for symptomatic uterine leiomyomata, using the ExAblate device.

Uterine leiomyomata (fibroids) occur in approximately 20%-50% of women of reproductive age. Not all women suffer from symptomatic uterine fibroids, however, those who do experience morbidity and disfunction.
In the United States alone, hysterectomy is performed in more than 600,000 women annualy.

MR-g HIFU is a non-invasive technique for treating symptomatic uterine leiomyomata and has been available for commercial use since 2002. Until today, over 7500 women had undergone this treatment.

This study recruited patients for MR-g HIFU treatments of symptomatic leiomyomata, with up to 3-year follow-up.
Fifty-one leiomyomata in 40 patients were treated. Long-term follow-up data from MR-g HIFU treatments show sustained symptomatic relief among enrolled patients. Although the results are preliminary, MR-g HIFU for the treatment of uterine leiomyomata may result in acceptable long-term outcomes at 3 years. 

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