Thermal ablative treatment of uterine fibroids

Abstract

In addition to surgical methods of treating uterine fibroids, numerous non-invasive treatments have been developed. Many of these involve the use of hyperthermia, the heating of tissue by a variety of methods. These include the use of lasers, radiofrequency, microwave energy and high intensity focused ultrasound, guided by both ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. In this review we examine the technology behind these treatment modalities and review the current evidence for their use.

Keywords: HIFU; MRgFUS; microwave ablation; radiofrequency ablation; radiofrequency volumetric thermal ablation; ultrasound guided high intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU); uterine fibroids.