A 38-year-old woman with a 4 cm intramural fibroid presents with menorrhagia. She declines surgery and medical therapy has failed. Which minimally invasive option preserves the uterus while directly occluding uterine blood supply to the fibroid?

• A Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) ✓
• B Endometrial ablation
• C High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU/MRgFUS)
• D GnRH agonist therapy for 6 months

Explanation

Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) involves angiographic occlusion of the uterine arteries with polyvinyl alcohol or tris-acryl microspheres, causing fibroid ischaemia and shrinkage while preserving the uterus. It achieves symptom control in approximately 85% of women. HIFU uses focused ultrasound energy to ablate fibroid tissue thermally without occluding vessels. Endometrial ablation destroys the endometrium but does not treat the fibroid itself. GnRH agonists are temporary measures.

Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.