Role of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound ( HIFU ) in Management of Uterine Fibroids

Elsheikh, Hesham Elsayed; Fawzi, Mohammed Mohsen; Hanna, Maged Maher; Abdalsattar, Sherif Ahmed Elrefai

doi:10.21608/bmfj.2025.304580.2131

Role of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound ( HIFU ) in Management of Uterine Fibroids

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Professor and Head of diagnostic and interventional radiology department Faculty of medicine - University of Benha

² Consultant and Head of diagnostic and interventional radiology department National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research institute

³ MSc in diagnostic and interventional radiology

⁴ Lecturer of diagnostic and interventional radiology Faculty of medicine - University of Benha

10.21608/bmfj.2025.304580.2131

Abstract

Background and Objective: Uterine fibroids are common benign gynecological tumors affecting women worldwide. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) on uterine fibroid ablation, regarding fibroid volume at 3- and 6-months post-procedure. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at the National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute. Thirty patients with uterine fibroid-related symptoms were included, and HIFU ablation was performed. Pre- and post-procedure assessments were carried out through comprehensive patient history, laboratory investigations, and post-contrast MRI examinations. Fibroid volume reduction and changes in pain levels and menorrhagia symptoms were analyzed. Results: HIFU ablation resulted in a significant reduction in pain levels (median score decreased from 6 to 3.5). No significant changes in hemoglobin levels were observed. Most participants experienced an improvement in menorrhagia symptoms (83.33%). Analysis of non-perfused volume (NPV) indicated successful ablation, with a mean NPV percent of 46.1%. Target fibroid volume significantly decreased at the 3-month and 6-month follow-ups, demonstrating the effectiveness of HIFU ablation in reducing fibroid size. The incidence of adverse events associated with HIFU ablation was low, with minimal complications reported. Conclusion: HIFU ablation emerges as a promising non-invasive treatment option for uterine fibroids, providing an effective reduction in fibroid volume, alleviation of symptoms, and minimal adverse events. Further long-term investigations are warranted to validate these findings and establish HIFU as a standard therapeutic approach for uterine fibroids.

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