Clinical predictors in the natural history of uterine leiomyoma: preliminary study.

This study was conducted to examine the correlation between uterine vascularity and natural history of uterine leiomyoma. Seventy women with leiomyoma participated in this study. Measurements of uterine and leiomyoma volume, as well as blood flow characteristics of the main uterine artery and leiomyoma arteries, were made every 3 months for 1 year. Leiomyoma arteries could be detected in 52 (51.5%) of 101 leiomyomas. Leiomyoma volume increased in 24 (46.2%) of 52 leiomyomas with leiomyoma artery. However, the leiomyoma volume increased in only three (6.1%) of 49 leiomyomas without leiomyoma artery. No difference was found between the pulsatility index of the leiomyoma artery in the group with increased size and in the group with stable size. This study shows the vascularity of leiomyoma to be useful as a predictor of leiomyoma growth.