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Ultrasound Treatment for Fibroids

Fibroids are tumors that form in the muscular walls of the uterus. These can be very tiny or grow to the size of a grapefruit or larger. You may have one fibroid or many. The majority of fibroids are not cancerous. These tumors affect women in their 40s and 50s most often and can cause heavy bleeding and pain. They can even grow so large as to make you appear pregnant.

  1. Ultrasound Treatment

    • You can undergo ultrasound treatment for your fibroids, also referred to as knifeless surgery. This type of treatment has many advantages. It can be performed on an outpatient basis and does not require anesthesia. Not all fibroids can be treated using this method. To find out if you are a candidate for ultrasound treatment, your physician will order an MRI of your uterus. This test will provide him with the precise locations of your fibroids, which will determine if they can be reached by the ultrasound. The MRI images will also be used during treatment to help pinpoint the fibroids for ultrasound application.

    Procedure

    • Prepare for your ultrasound procedure by not eating anything after midnight the day before your appointment. Before the ultrasound treatment begins, an IV line will be started to deliver medication to keep you relaxed. You won't be put under. The procedure is conducted in an MRI scanner so your doctor can monitor the images it relays in real time. You will lie face down inside the MRI scanner while highly focused ultrasound waves target your fibroids. Only a small spot is pulsed on each fibroid so the surrounding tissue is unharmed. Each pulse lasts around 15 seconds and it is repeated the number of times required to treat all of your fibroids. The procedure usually lasts about three hours.

    Effects

    • You can push an emergency button that will immediately stop the pulse if you feel pain. Typically, the only thing you will feel is a warm sensation in your uterus. You may feel somewhat groggy after the procedure due to the medication you receive for relaxation. You will be asked to wait until the medication has cleared your system before you can leave. The ultrasound waves cause your fibroids to begin to die. Your body will clear them over a period of several months. Since your uterus remains intact, it is always possible that new fibroids will form.

    Complications

    • Notify your doctor if you experience unusual symptoms after your procedure. Complications are rare but can include hypertension, abdominal pain, nausea, cramps, fever, minor skin burns, leg pain or back pain.

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