What predicts durable symptom relief of uterine fibroids treated with MRI-guided focused ultrasound? A multicenter trial in 8 academic centers

Abstract

Objective: To identify variables predictive of durable clinical success after MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment of uterine fibroids.

Materials and methods: In this prospective, multicenter trial, 99 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids were treated using MRgFUS. Pelvic MRI was obtained at baseline and treatment day. The Uterine Fibroid Symptom-Quality of Life questionnaire was used to calculate a symptom severity score (SSS) at baseline and 6, 12, 24, and 36 months following treatment. Clinical, imaging, and treatment variables were correlated with symptom reduction sustained through the 12- and 24-month time points using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. A novel parameter, the ratio of non-perfused volume to total fibroid load (NPV/TFL), was developed to determine association with durable outcomes.

Results: Post-treatment, mean symptom severity decreased at the 6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-ups (p < 0.001, all time points). In univariable analysis, three variables predicted treatment success (defined by ≥ 30-point improvement in SSS) sustained at both the 12-month and 24-month time points: increasing ratio of NPV/TFL (p = 0.002), decreasing total fibroid load (p = 0.04), and the absence of T2-weighted Funaki type 2 fibroids (p = 0.02). In multivariable analysis, the NPV/TFL was the sole predictor of durable clinical success (p = 0.01). Patients with ratios below 30% had less improvement in SSS and lacked durable clinical response compared with those between 30-79 (p = 0.03) and ≥ 80% (p = 0.01).

Conclusion: Increased non-perfused volume relative to total fibroid volume was significantly associated with durable reduction of symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding and bulk bother.

Clinical relevance statement: Patient selection for sustained clinical benefit should emphasize those with likelihood of achieving high ablation ratios, as determined by imaging (e.g., device access, Funaki type) and by considering the total fibroid load, not just the primary symptomatic fibroid.

Trial registration: Clinical trial ID: NCT01285960.

Key points: • Patient selection/treatment approach associated with durable symptom relief in MRI-guided focused ultrasound ablation of uterine fibroids remains unclear. • The ablation ratio, non-perfused volume/total fibroid volume, was positively associated with sustained symptom relief in both bleeding and bulk bother at 1- and 2-year follow-ups. • Selecting patients with imaging features that favor a high ratio of ablation to total fibroid load (including non-targeted fibroids) is the main factor in predicting durability of symptom relief after uterine fibroid treatment.

Keywords: Ablation; Leiomyoma; MRI-guided focused ultrasound; Uterine fibroid.