Volumetric MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound versus uterine artery embolisation for treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids: comparison of symptom improvement and reintervention rates

Purpose To compare the effectiveness of magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) with that of uterine artery embolisation (UAE) for treatment of uterine fibroids. Methods Between January 2010 and January 2013, 51 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids underwent MR-HIFU. Follow-up and MR imaging were compared to 68 women treated with UAE, who fulfilled eligibility criteria for MR-HIFU – e.g., size (≤ 12 cm) and number (≤ 5) of fibroids. We compared median symptom severity (tSSS), total health-realted quality of life (HRQoL) scores, and reintervention rates. The adjusted effect on symptom relief and HRQoL improvement was calculated using multivariable linear regression. Cox regression was applied to calculate the adjusted risk of reintervention between both treatments. Results Median tSSS improved significantly from baseline to three-month follow-up ( P