GROUP 3

INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY

Uterine Fibroid Embolization

 Uterine fibroids (also known as Womb Growth)
 are benign (non-cancerous) tumours, that can be found in the
uterine wall (myometrium) of 20 to 40 percent of women of any age.
 are the most common tumor of the reproductive tract in women
 also called “leiomyomas”
SYMPTOMS
 Heavy bleeding and / or painful irregular menstruation
(Anemia and Fatigue)
 Abdominal discomfort and bloating (Constipation)
 Urinary / Bladder symptoms (Frequency)
 Lower back pain (Backache)
 Painful sexual intercourse
 Pregnancy problems (Secondary infertility and
Miscarriages)
Uterine Fibroid
Embolization
 is a minimally invasive radiological procedure performed by
interventional radiologists to block the blood supply to fibroids /
growth that have formed in the uterus / womb.
 is the number one recommended minimally invasive treatment option
to deal with Uterine Fibroids in South Africa.
 UFE is a uterus / womb sparing procedure selectively targeting the
fibroids, sparing the uterine and ovaries.
 It is internationally recognised as a highly effective and scientifically
established permanent treatment for uterine fibroids.
 UFE is an alternative to the traditional myomectomy and hysterectomy
as well as medication therapies that have been the only available option
in the past.
PROCEDURE
PROPER
Pre - Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Procedure

• Before undergoing the Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

Procedure, the following are done:
 Medical Aid Authorisation to do the procedure is sort for.
 The patient is admitted to the hospital in the morning of the
procedure.
 Informed consent is obtained and signed.
 Blood tests such as INR, U&E and FBC & Platelets are done.
 MRI Pelvis is done to confirm the presents of the fibroids and to
exclude other conditions.
During - Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Procedure
 Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) Procedure is performed by an
interventional radiologist in a hybrid or a cath lab theatre under real
time image guidance / screening.
 The patient is put to sleep in theatre by an anaesthetic doctor.
 Through an extremely small incision in the groin area, a small
catheter is inserted into the femoral artery and then advanced into the
uterine arteries that supply blood to the fibroids.
 Tiny particles are then injected through the micro-catheter to occlude
the blood supply to the fibroids, which in turn causes the fibroids /
growth to shrink and rendering the patient free of symptoms.
Post - Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Procedure
 The patient stays overnight at the hospital for post procedure
observations and pain management.
 The patient is discharged as soon as the patient is pain free which is
the next day after breakfast.
 A dull ache in the lower abdomen is usually the only sign that the
patient feels that they had a UFE procedure. This is due to the arteries
supplying the fibroid shutting down. This pain is easily controlled
with medication that the patient is discharged with and it disappears
over a short period of time.
 The skin incision used to perform the embolization is so small that
there is no need for stitches and is usually invisible within a week.
 Uterine
Fibroid
MODALITIES USED

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) procedure is performed by an

interventional radiologist in a hybrid or a cath lab theatre under
real time image guidance / screening.
Catheterization Lab
Uterine
Fibroid
MODALITIES USED
 In this procedure, x-ray equipment, a catheter and a variety of medications
and synthetic materials are used.
 The equipment typically used for this examination consists of a radiographic
table, one or two x-ray tubes and a television-like monitor that is located in
the examining room. Fluoroscopy, which converts x-rays into video images, is
used to watch and guide progress of the procedure. The video is produced by
the x-ray machine and a detector that is suspended over a table on which the
patient lies.
 A catheter is a long, thin plastic tube that is considerably smaller than a
"pencil lead", or approximately 1/8 inch in diameter.
 Other equipment that may be used during the procedure includes an
intravenous line (IV), ultrasound machine and devices that monitor your
heart beat and blood pressure.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A RADTECH
 Explaining procedures to patients and answering questions.
 Preparing equipment for use as needed.
 Preparing examination rooms for patient exams.
 Positioning patients for imaging exams.
 Monitoring patients during exams.
 Documenting information with computers.
 Reporting important information to the physician.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A RADTECH
 Ensuring safety of patients during exams.
 Producing diagnostic images of soft tissues.
 Using sound waves to obtain images of organs and tissues in the
body.
 Administering targeted doses of radiation to the patient’s body to
treat cancer or other diseases.
 Administering trace amounts of radiopharmaceuticals to a patient
to obtain functional information about organs, tissues and bone.
 Measuring bone mineral density at a specific anatomical site.
END
QUIZ
I. Fill in the blanks.

1. ________ fibroids are

also known as Womb
Growth.
2. Fibroids are ___________
tumours, that can be found in the
uterine wall (myometrium) of 20
to 40 percent of women of any
age.
3. Fibroids are the most
common tumor of the
___________ tract in
women.
4. __________ is the process or
state in which blood vessel or
organ is obstructed by the
lodgment of a material mass (as
an embolus).
 5. _____________ is a minimally
invasive radiological procedure
performed by interventional
radiologists to block the blood
supply to growths that have formed
in the uterus.
II. Write what step is indicated below. (STEP 1, 2 OR 3)

6.
7.
8.
True or False. Write EX-B if the statement is true
& write EX-MEN if the statement is false.
9. In the procedure, a very small skin incision is made at the site.
10. In the procedure proper, the catheter is inserted into your
femoral vein.
11. At the end of the procedure, the catheter will be removed and
pressure will be applied to stop any bleeding.
12. Patient will most likely remain in the hospital overnight after
the procedure.
13. UFE procedure is usually completed within 90 mins.
(14) UFE procedure is performed by
an __________________ in a (15)
___________ theatre under real time
image guidance / screening.
III. Enumeration
16-18. Give 3 equipments that can
be found in a Catheterization
Laboratory.

19-20. Give 2 responsibilites of a

Radtech.