INTRAUTERINE LIGHT DELIVERY FOR PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY OF THE HUMAN ENDOMETRIUM

Citation
Mk. Fehr et al., INTRAUTERINE LIGHT DELIVERY FOR PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY OF THE HUMAN ENDOMETRIUM, Human reproduction, 10(11), 1995, pp. 3067-3072
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Reproductive Biology
Journal title
ISSN journal
02681161
Volume
10
Issue
11
Year of publication
1995
Pages
3067 - 3072
Database
ISI
SICI code
0268-1161(1995)10:11<3067:ILDFPT>2.0.ZU;2-U
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy is currently being evaluated as a minimally invas ive procedure for endometrial ablation not requiring anaesthesia, Ligh t penetration depths at 630, 660 and 690 nm and the optimal configurat ion of intrauterine light-diffusing fibres were determined in 14 human uteri to assist in the design of a light intrauterine device, Postmen opausal ex-vivo uteri showed a significantly lower light penetration d epth than pre-menopausal uteri, With a single central diffusing fibre inserted, the fluence rate measured in the uterine wall at the most re mote point of the cavity decreased to 1.1 +/- 0.4% of that measured at closest proximity, whereas it decreased to only 40.0 +/- 9.0% with th ree fibres, Distension of the uterine cavity with 2 ml of an optically clear fluid increased the fluence rate at the fundus between the fibr es at a depth of 2 mm by a factor of 4, We conclude that in normal-siz ed pre-menopausal uterine cavities, three diffusing fibres will delive r an optical dose above the photodynamic threshold level at a depth of 4 mm, even in the most remote areas, in <30 min without causing therm al damage, For distorted and elongated cavities, either slight distens ion of the cavity or the insertion of a fourth diffusing fibre is requ ired.