Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), also known as uterine artery embolization (UAE), is a minimally invasive procedure in which the blood flow of the uterus is intentionally reduced causing the fibroid tumors to shrink. It alleviates or improves fibroid symptoms 90% of the time.
The procedure is performed by making a tiny nick in the skin in the groin and inserting a tube, known as a catheter, into the femoral artery. Using x-ray imaging, the catheter is guided through the arterial system and into the arteries supplying the uterus. Tiny particles, the size of grains of sand, are then injected into the uterine arteries to block the blood flow to the fibroid, starve the fibroids and cause them to die.
更多的信息,参考:
1. Uterine artery embolization - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2. Uterine fibroids
3. Uterine fibroids - MayoClinic.com