Uterine Artery Embolization for Symptomatic Adenomyosis: Proceedings from a Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation Research Consensus Panel

• Published in: Journal of vascular and interventional radiology Vol. 33; no. 5; pp. 586 - 592
• Main Authors: Caridi, Theresa M., De la Garza-Ramos, Cynthia, Brook, Olga R., Learman, Lee A., Opoku-Anane, Jessica, Phipps, Debbie, Ascher, Susan M., Lipman, John C., Lohle, Paul N.M., Halvorson, Lisa M., Abi-Jaoudeh, Nadine, Kohi, Maureen P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.05.2022
• Subjects: Adenomyosis - diagnostic imaging; Adenomyosis - therapy; Consensus; Female; Humans; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Radiology, Interventional; Uterine Artery Embolization - methods; JZ; RCT; MR; UAE; GnRH; HMB; SIR; LNG-IUS; RCP; QOL
• ISSN: 1051-0443; 1535-7732
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2022.01.017

Adenomyosis poses an important diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in women’s health because of a variety of clinical/imaging presentations and frequent coexistence with other benign gynecologic conditions. In recent years, uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the treatment of adenomyosis has shown encouraging and favorable outcomes and long-term symptom improvement. To expand the current understanding of adenomyosis pathophysiology, imaging diagnostic criteria, and treatment outcomes, the Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation gathered a multidisciplinary Research Consensus Panel with experts from diverse backgrounds. The topics addressed were centered around the following: (i) the clinical presentation and imaging findings to diagnose adenomyosis; (ii) the currently available medical, interventional, and surgical treatment options; and (iii) existing literature for and experiences with UAE in symptomatic disease. The panel acknowledged that before the pursuit of a clinical trial, it would be necessary to first evaluate the imaging criteria for adenomyosis and correlate them with pathology and symptoms to establish a noninvasive imaging classification system. Second priority was given to the development of a quality of life questionnaire to assess patient outcomes following treatment. The third priority was the performance of a prospective clinical trial comparing UAE with medical therapy, which would help establish UAE in the treatment algorithm and societal guidelines for symptomatic adenomyosis.