High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation of Uterine Fibroids – Potential Impact on Fertility and Pregnancy Outcome

• Published in: Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde Vol. 74; no. 2; pp. 139 - 145
• Main Authors: Bohlmann, M. K., Hoellen, F., Hunold, P., David, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; German
• Published: Stuttgart · New York Georg Thieme Verlag KG 01.02.2014
• Subjects: Review; Radiotherapie; sterility; uterus; Sterilität; Ultraschall; pregnancy; radiotherapy; Schwangerschaft; ultrasound; uterine tumor
• ISSN: 0016-5751; 1438-8804
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1360311

Abstract Laparoscopic myomectomy is regarded as the gold standard for women with symptomatic fibroids who wish to become pregnant. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU or MRgFUS) ablation of uterine fibroids is also being discussed as a non-surgical, minimally invasive, therapeutic option. This review examines the available data on the impact of HIFU/MRgFUS on fertility and pregnancy, focusing particularly on potential direct side-effects of this type of intervention on ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus and potential late effects on pregnancy and birth, based on the current literature. All pregnancies after HIFU/MRgFUS published to date (around 100 cases) were evaluated. The published case series suggest that HIFU/MRgFUS ablation has no impact on the rate of miscarriages or other obstetrical outcome parameters. Because no prospective studies exist which permit firm conclusions to be drawn on the impact of HIFU/MRgFUS on fertility and pregnancy outcome in women with symptomatic fibroids, this approach is currently only recommended for women with suspected fertility problems due to uterine fibroids who either decline surgery or who have an unacceptably high surgical risk.