INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY

               Minimally Invasive Alternatives to Surgery

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Copyright © 2008, Joel Garris MD, FACR. All rights reserved.

Particle injected via catheter block fibroid arteries

Fibroids in uterus before UFE

Fibroid shrinks after UFE

Note: Blue Arrow Points to Same Fibroid in Each Illustration

Why do fibroids die but the uterus is unharmed after UFE?

• Fibroids are have a very rich blood supply, injected particles go preferentially to fibroids.
  

• Arteries to fibroids are different than those that supply the normal uterus.
  

• Fibroid arteries have no connections to other blood vessels.
  

• Uterus remains viable after UFE because small uterine artery branches connect with other vessels in the pelvis so the uterus blood supply is maintain by these connections called "collateral vessels".
  

How does UFE work?

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