Replay of: Uterine Fibroid Embolization

First Seen Live Webcast: September 28, 2005 at 5:00pm EDT

Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Atlantic City, NJ- The Radiology Department at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC) offered the public the opportunity to view a uterine fibroid embolization during a live webcast of the procedure on Wednesday, September 28 at 5 p.m. Mitchell H. Brezel, MD, chief of interventional radiology at ARMC, performed the procedure. Jack Shakarshy, MD, an Interventional Radiologist on ARMC’s Medical Staff, moderated.

	Uterine Fibroid Embolization

ARMC physicians have been performing uterine fibroid embolization since 1999. Uterine fibroid embolization is a minimally invasive procedure performed in an angiography suite equipped with an x-ray machine. The patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, breathing and blood oxygen levels are continually monitored during the procedure. The interventional radiologist makes a small incision in the skin and threads a thin tube (catheter) into the femoral artery. Using x-ray guidance, and periodic injections of radiographic contract material to map the blood vessels, the radiologist threads the catheter into the uterine arteries. Using x-ray observation, the radiologist injects particles of trisacryl microspheres into the arteries to block the blood flow. With no blood flow to feed the fibroids, they shrink or disappear.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths of the uterus that can cause irregular or heavy menstrual bleeding, painful menstrual cycles and pelvic pain. Uterine fibroid embolization usually requires only a single night stay in the hospital.

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