High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Feasible for Uterine Localized Adenomyosis in Small Study

NEW YORK, June 24, 2009 — In a prospective trial to test the feasibility of laparoscopic high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of uterine localized adenomyosis, Chinese researchers found the procedure to be a safe and effective procedure.

Adenomyosis is often mistaken for leiomyoma, Dr Zhu Yang et al at Chongqing Medical University in China, noted in the June issue of Fertility and Sterility. However, successful long-term nonsurgical treatment of adenomyosis tends to be more difficult due to penetration of the ectopic endometrium into the myometrium.

In their study, 7 women with uterine localized adenomyosis underwent the HIFU procedure, followed by planned hysterectomy, "considered worldwide to be the definitive treatment," the authors noted.

Coagulation necrosis without hemorrhage of the targeted adenomyosis was confirmed by macroscopic observation. Staining with a 2% 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride solution indicated complete loss of cell viability of the treated tissue.

Irreversible cell death within the glandular epithelium and interstitial cells of endometrium and surrounding smooth muscle cells was confirmed by electron microscopy in all patients.

The margin was very clear between the treated and untreated regions, Dr Yang et al noted, with little temperature diffusion between the 2.

"A long-term follow-up trial is needed to determine the future role of this novel therapy for the treatment of localized adenomyosis," they concluded.

Source: Reuters Health Information