Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) of uterine fibroids in Singapore

Uterine fibroids are the most common type of gynaecologic benign tumours, occurring in 25% to 50% of women during their reproductive lives. About half of the affected women have clinically significant symptoms, including abnormal bleeding, menstrual pain, frequent urination, constipation and abdominal distension. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) has been used to treat patients with benign lesions and a variety of malignancies. The objective of this study is to evaluate symptom relief before and after MR-guided ultrasound ablation of fibroids. A total of 37 patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids were treated in this study. MRgFUS treatment led to a significant, time-dependent decrease in not only Symptom Severity Scores (SSS), but also the mean fibroid volume. The average reductions in volume were 41.6% and 52.6% at 6 months and 12 months respectively (P