Improvement of fibroid-associated symptoms and quality of life after US-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) of uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign uterine tumors and can cause various severe symptoms as abnormal menstrual bleeding or pelvic pain. Therefore, the primary objective in the treatment of uterine fibroids is a sufficient symptom relief. Ultrasound (US)-guided High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is an effective non-invasive treatment strategy for ablation of uterine fibroids that can achieve a significant tumor volume reduction. The aim of the study is to evaluate if US-guided HIFU treatment can reduce fibroid-associated symptoms leading to an improvement of health-related quality of life. Fifty-five women with symptomatic uterine fibroids underwent US-guided HIFU ablation. Clinical evaluation was performed on the basis of the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (UFS-QOL) at baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after HIFU. Imaging follow-up included contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced MRI. A significant reduction of the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) was observed between 6 weeks and 12 months after HIFU (49.9 ± 19.4 at baseline vs. 42.2 ± 20.1 at 6 weeks and 23.6 ± 12.7 at 12 months after treatment, p