Diagnostische und therapeutische Optionen bei Patientinnen mit Myomen - Myomembolisation

Background: Symptomatic uterine fibroids are a frequently encountered, important cause of morbidity in women in their reproductive period. Due to only limited conservative therapeutic approaches surgical intervention - including hysterectomy - has played a major part to control and treat uterine fibroids. The use of catheter-based embolisation of fibroids displays a non-invasive alternative in the treatment of fibroid. Methods: Indications, requirements, side-effects, outcome as well as the procedure itself are presented in this review, with a special focus laid on fertility aspects. Results: Current data on embolisation of fibroids suggests that this therapeutic option is efficacious with regard to the control of hypermenorrhea (~ 85%), whereas bulging symptoms are controlled in 30-60% of cases. Sufficient analgesia is necessary due to ischemia-associated side-effects of fibroid embolisation. Conclusion: Embolisation can be regarded as a quite effective and non-invasive therapeutic option in women with symptomatic uterine fibroids.