Strategic use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology may offer women who suffer from uterine fibroids more targeted treatment options, according to preliminary study findings released last week from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Non-cancerous fibroid tumors affect nearly 40% of women 35 and older, although many remain asymptomatic. For women presenting with symptoms, ultrasound technology is the current standard diagnostic tool for gynecologists, with surgery a not uncommon treatment. However, MRI technology can pinpoint pathology with greater accuracy and help physicians determine if uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), a less invasive treatment than surgery, is a viable alternative.

The study, conducted by interventional radiologist Howard B. Chrisman, M.D., M.B.A. of Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill., enrolled 100 women who were referred for treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids. Of the 100, 94 underwent MRI examinations, with sixty-eight patients (72%) slated for fibroid embolization. The procedure was ruled out for the remaining 21 patients due to various biological causes, such as uterus size or nonviable tumors.
"For the women who come to us suffering from uterine fibroids and don't want surgery or a hysterectomy, an MRI lets us see if she is a candidate for minimally invasive embolization--a procedure that would have her treated and at home the next day," Chrisman added.

UFE was first used to prevent blood loss during fibroid removal surgery. However, it was discovered that while waiting for surgery, some women became asymptomatic without even having the surgical procedure. This led researchers and clinicians to explore the effects of UFE as a stand-alone treatment and is now an accepted alternative for patients who meet certain criteria.

UFE is used by interventional radiologists - physicians specially trained in diagnostics and treatment using imaging tools, such as MRI, CT scan, x-ray and other devices. The specialty focuses on minimally invasive and targeted treatments, and is known for its pioneering work in angioplasty and stenting in heart catheterization. UFE uses a similar angiographic method, where a catheter is used to block blood flow to the fibroid tumors from uterine arteries, effectively reducing the mass.

Chrisman's findings support previous research and reflect the popular trend toward use of less invasive treatment, however, the higher cost of MRI over ultrasound remains a barrier for standard first-line use of MRI in uterine fibroid diagnostics.

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