For years women with uterine fibroids, benign tumors of
smooth muscle, have had to undergo hysterectomies or other surgical
procedures that could be painful, leave scars and affect their future
fertility, to remove the fibroids. But Joseph Bonn, M.D., Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiologist of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, has found that uterine fibroid embolization can be a better alternative. Dr. Bonn and Carin Gonsalves, M.D., assistant professor of Radiology, Division of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University demonstrate this procedure during a webcast on Thursday, November 13, at 4:30 pm EST from Jefferson University Hospital. (The video will remain online following the live broadcast.)
"While benign, fibroids can cause abnormal bleeding and
pelvic pain, and may be a cause of infertility and repeated
miscarriage," said Dr. Bonn, "Some women cannot work a normal work day
because of the pain and bleeding. Their symptoms can be incapacitating."
This minimally invasive procedure, uterine fibroid embolization, simply employs the use of a catheter placed into the uterine arteries. Small particles are injected into the arteries through the catheter, which results in the blockage of the arteries feeding the fibroids. The procedure, which takes approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours, is usually done in the hospital with most patients able to go home the same day. CME Credit Available.
