What are Uterine Fibroids?
Adenomyosis
Some patients are misdiagnosed as having
fibroids when in fact they have a condition
called adenomyosis in which it is thought
cells from the lining of the womb migrate
into the muscle of the womb causing heavy
painful periods. This is a benign condition
which is best diagnosed using MRI. The
condition, although not as common as
fibroids, is still nevertheless a frequent
cause of heavy, painful menstruation.
Adenomyosis which may coexist with fibroids
is a condition in which cells from the
lining of the womb (which sheds and bleeds
during a period) are present on the muscle
of the womb. It causes enlargement of the
uterus, heavy periods and pain and tends to
be progressive. It may affect fertility and
it may also coexist with a condition called
endometriosis where these womb lining cells
are present in the peritoneal cavity.
Adenomyosis usually presents over 35 years
of age.
Treatment
The traditional treatment for adenomyosis is
hysterectomy. Endometrial ablation or Merina
coil insertion may help in mild cases.
Embolisation is being increasingly used to
treat this condition.
Embolisation is not as effective as when
used for treating fibroids. However one
embolisation will usually cure the condition
in 50% of cases. In the rest symptoms often
return and these patients may require
further embolisation treatment. Embolisation
may also be combined with endometrial
ablation or Mirena coil insertion.
Publications
Uterine Artery Embolisation for Symptomatic
Adenomyosis - Midterm Results - Bratby MJ,
Walker WJ - European Journal of Radiology -
February 2008.
Midterm Results of UAE for Symptomatic
Adenomyosis: Initial Experience - Pelage JP,
Jacob D, Fazel A, Namur J, Laurent A, Rymer
R, Le Dref O. - Radiology, March 2005;
234(3):948-953. Epub 2005 Jan 28.
Long Term Results of UAE for Symptomatic
Adenomyosis - Kim MD - AJR 2007;188:176-181.
Alternatives
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