Page 26 - Waterfall Issue 8 2021

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Lena Gates (Angio administrator), Dr D. Bester, Evelyn Goosen (Head Angio radiographer), Antoinette de Klerk (Angio radiographer)
• Shrinkage of the fibroid volume by 40 - 70%
• Improvement of menorrhagia/dysmenorrhea
and metrorrhagia in 70 - 95% of cases
• Short hospital stay of 24 hours
• Ability to resume work within 14 days.

Female patients aged between 25 and 50 may be
considered for uFE if they have the following symptoms:
• Menorrhagia: Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Dysmenorrhea: Excessive pain during the menstrual cycle
• Metrorrhagia: Uterine bleeding at irregular
intervals between menstrual periods
• Pressure symptoms on the bowel/bladder resulting
in frequency in urination or constipation. Tsepho Malema (Angio unit assistant) Jolandi Harmse (Angio radiographer)

Before the procedure, the suitability of the fibroids option for the patient is then selected. The pros and
for uFE is assessed by a limited MRI of the pelvis. The cons of the different treatment options will be discussed
procedure takes approximately 30 minutes and is with the patient, as well as the implication on fertility.
performed by an interventional radiologist in the radiology
angiography suite under light, conscious sedation. If you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and
have symptoms related to them, discuss the treatment

The doctor introduces a small flexible tube (catheter) options with your gynaecologist or feel free to contact
into the uterine artery from a wrist or groin arterial the team at Sunninghill Interventional Radiology
approach and injects multiple small particles into the and together with their resident gynaecologist, they
arteries supplying the fibroids. The particles then cut off will work out a tailored treatment option for you.
the blood flow to the fibroids causing them to die and
involute, thus alleviating the troublesome symptoms. Netcare Sunninghill’s interventional radiology team has
extensive experience in all aspects of body intervention
The post embolization pain is managed using an ranging from lung, liver, renal and vascular intervention.
intravenous combination of opioid pain medication and To contact Sunninghill Interventional Radiology –
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The treatment call: 011 806 1689, or email: evelyn@shrad.co.za
of fibroids is a multi-disciplinary approach. The case will
be discussed between the interventional radiologist Image credits:
uS Department of Health and Human Services
and the attending gynaecologist and the best treatment Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

24 Waterfall Issue 8 2021