Occurrence of adverse events after magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) therapy in symptomatic uterine fibroids-a retrospective case-control study

• Published in: International journal of hyperthermia 2023-12, Vol.40 (1), p.2219436-2219436
• Main Authors: Kociuba, Jakub, Łoziński, Tomasz, Zgliczyńska, Magdalena, Byrczak, Maciej, Dymon, Miłosz, Ciebiera, Michał
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adverse event; Case-Control Studies; complication; Female; high intensity focused ultrasound; High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation - adverse effects; High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation - methods; Humans; leiomyoma; Leiomyoma - diagnostic imaging; Leiomyoma - surgery; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound; non-oncologic applications of hyperthermia; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; thermal ablation; Treatment Outcome; ultrasound; uterine fibroid; Uterine Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Uterine Neoplasms - surgery
• ISSN: 0265-6736; 1464-5157
• DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2023.2219436

Our study aims at the comprehensive analysis of adverse events (AEs) in patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids (UFs) who underwent magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) in the last 6 years in one of the major Polish centers performing this type of therapy. The presented retrospective case-control study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pro-Familia Hospital, Rzeszów in cooperation with the Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw. The study enrolled 372 women with symptomatic UFs who underwent MR-HIFU and reported AEs during or after the procedure. The occurrence of particular AEs was analyzed. Statistical comparison of two cohorts (patients with and without AEs) was conducted based on epidemiological factors, UF characteristics, fat layer thickness, the presence of abdominal scars and technical parameters of the procedure. The overall mean occurrence rate of AEs was 8.9% (n = 33). No major AEs were reported. The only statistically significant risk factor of AEs was the treatment of type II UFs according to Funaki (OR 2.12, CI 95%, p = 0.043). Other investigated factors did not have a statistically significant influence on AE occurrence. Abdominal pain was the most common AE. Our data showed that MR-HIFU seemed to be a safe procedure. The AE rate after the treatment is relatively low. According to the obtained data it seems that the occurrence of AEs does not depend on the technical parameters of the procedure and the volume, position and location of UFs. Further prospective, randomized studies and with long follow-up are necessary to confirm the final conclusions.