Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of symptomatic uterine fibroids: short-term evaluation of effect of treatment on quality of life and symptom severity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (USgRFA) for the treatment of women with symptomatic uterine fibroids in relation to volume of fibroid.
METHODS: Forty-three women with symptomatic fibroids underwent USgRFA for treatment of uterine fibroids. Improvements in fibroid symptoms and quality of life were measured by the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life questionnaire scores at baseline and 3, 6 and 9 months after the intervention, and analyzed in relation to baseline fibroid volume. Volume reduction of fibroids was measured and the frequency of adverse events and re-interventions was recorded.
RESULTS: Following USgRFA, mean Symptom Severity Scores (SSS) decreased from 60.7 ± 17.8 to 31.2 ± 19.5, corresponding to an improvement of 48.6%. The total Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) score improved by 46.4% from 55.6 ± 20.9 to 81.4 ± 16.6. There was no correlation between fibroid volume at baseline and improvement in SSS and HRQOL scores. Fibroid volume was reduced in all patients, by a mean of 69.7 ± 19.4%. Two (4.7%) patients underwent hysterectomy. No adverse events occurred.
CONCLUSION: USgRFA reduces fibroid symptom and size even in patients with larger fibroids. USgRFA is a promising new treatment for fibroids in gynecological settings and should be further investigated.