Ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation for uterine arteriovenous fistula: a case series

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation in the treatment of uterine arteriovenous fistula (UAVF).

Materials and methods

This case series included three patients diagnosed with acquired UAVF. All patients underwent routine laboratory tests, electrocardiography (ECG), chest X-ray, ultrasound, and pelvic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). HIFU treatment was performed under sedation and analgesia using a Model JC Focused Ultrasound Tumor Therapeutic System (made by Chongqing Haifu Medical Technology Co. Ltd., China) with a B mode ultrasound device for treatment guidance. The treatment time, sonication power, sonication time, and complications were recorded. Follow-up evaluations were scheduled at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month to assess symptom improvement and evaluate the post-treatment imaging.

Results

All patients completed HIFU treatment in a single session without any major complication. All patients complained of mild lower abdominal and sacrococcygeal pain. Typically, no special treatment is required. Following HIFU treatment, there was a significant relief in clinical symptoms, particularly abnormal uterine bleeding. Ultrasound examinations conducted one month after the treatment revealed a notable reduction in the volume of the lesion, ranging from 57% to 100%. Moreover, the efficacy and safety of HIFU treatment remained consistent during the 12-month follow-up period.

Conclusion

HIFU ablation appears to be an effective and safe treatment modality for UAVF. It provides a noninvasive approach with favorable clinical outcomes.

Keywords:

• Ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound
• uterine arteriovenous fistula
• ablation
• treatment
• efficacy
• safety

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the Guangxi Science and Technology Plan Project (Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology), grant #GuiKe AD22035223, and Liuzhou Science and Technology Plan Project, grant #2020NBAB0825. Also was supported by Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering [Grant No.2021KFKT020].