Treating Uterine Fibroids: Finding Relief with Uterine Fibroid Embolization

As a patient, you will have the opportunity to meet our interventional radiologist in your initial clinic appointment where we will discuss the UFE procedure and answer your questions. During this appointment, it may be necessary to perform a pelvic ultrasound or blood work to fully evaluate your clinical needs.

Fibroids are common, benign (noncancerous) growths in or on the walls of the uterus. They are also called myomas or leiomyomas.

UFE is performed by an interventional radiologist (IR).  Patients receive mild sedation and a numbing agent to ensure comfort during the procedure. They begin the procedure by making a small nick at the top of the leg, near the groin area. Next, a tiny tube called a catheter is inserted into the femoral artery at the top of the leg (Fig. 2).

The catheter is then guided into the uterine artery and a contrast-enhanced X-ray is taken to map the arteries feeding the fibroids. Tiny Embosphere® Microspheres are injected through the catheter and into the fibroids, cutting off their blood supply (Fig. 3).

As a result, the fibroids shrink and symptoms are resolved, sparing the uterus and ovaries (Fig. 4).