The clinical study on the treatment of uterine fibroids using high intensity focused ultrasound

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and validity of the treatment of uterine fibroids with HIFU. Materials and methods: 180 cases with uterine fibroid tumors (253 tumors) were treated; the patients were between 27 and 50 years old. HIFLTNIT9000 was used to treat the tumors. Fibroid volume, local symptoms were measured before treatment and 3 months after treatment. Results: (i) Changes of clinical symptoms post treatment: among the 109 cases with increased menstrual flow or prolonged menstrual phase, 66 cases (60%) showed obvious improvement within one month after HIFU treatment and 83 cases (76%) within 3 months, the number of the cases rose to 98(90%) in 6 months. (ii) Fibroid volume pre and post treatment: 196 tumors (77%) reduced their volume by over 40%, among which some 1/3 further reduced through B-mode ultrasound examination 3 months after HIFU treatment. (iii) Pain and the changes of skin during or post treatment: a few (21/180) felt moderate pain of skin that was relieved after adjustment of thermal dosage and no long-lasting intensive pain occurred during the HIFU treatment. Degree I burn of local skin occurred in 6 cases (3.3%) and all recovered in 3 to 5 days. (iv) Nerve damage: in 8 cases single side lower limb anesthesia with slightly confined walking capacity was reported after HIFU treatment which recovered within one week. Conclusion: HIFU would be a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of uterine fibroids.