Symptomatic fibroleiomyomata: MR imaging of the uterus before and after uterine arterial embolization

PURPOSE: To determine the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of uteri ne fibroleiomyomata after uterine arterial embolization (UAE) and identify pretreatment MR imaging features that may be predictive of successful UAE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T1- and T2-weighted and dynamic gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images were obtained before and 3 months after UAE in 31 patien ts. Up to five fibroleiomyomata (total of 125) were evaluated for volume, l ocation, signal intensity characteristics, and vascularity, Region-of-inter est curves were used to assess the vascular enhancement pattern of each fib roleiomyoma and adjacent myometrium. Each patient completed a questionnaire on symptoms 3 months after UAE. RESULTS: UAE resulted in significant reductions in mean uterine volume (fro m 588.6 to 393.1 cm(3)) and mean fibroleiomyoma volume (from 69.4 to 41.4 c m(3)) (P < .005). After UAE, lesions showed signal intensity changes consis tent with hemorrhagic infarction. The vascularity of fibroleiomyomata was d ecreased (P < .001), with no significant change in myometrial vascularity. Submucosal location was a strong positive predictor of fibroleiomyoma volum e reduction (P < 001). When a reduction in vascularity was the measure of s uccess, hypervascularity was a strong indicator of success (P < .005). CONCLUSION: MR imaging is useful for quantitative assessment of signal inte nsity and morphologic changes before and after UAE. Pretreatment MR imaging findings may help predict the success of the procedure.