In Reply to: Re: Case 0100_07 -- Embolization of Parasatized Ovarian Arteries in a Woman with Symptomatic Fibroids posted by George A. Fueredi on January 10, 19100 at 22:56:04:
In our group to date we have seen permanent amenorrhea in a small number of women (about 5%) - all of whom have been over 45. In most of these women for whom we have FSH levels available, they were elevated before the UAE was performed. So I think that, like a dose of Lupron, UAE may nudge a patient who is on the edge of menopause over that edge.
We have seen another 10% or so of women have irregularities of their menstrual cycles afgtre UAE, most of them having periods of amenorrhea lasting up to 6 months. The gynecologists tell me that this is fairly common after any gynecologic intervention, and is not a cause for concern.
When I embolize the ovarian artery, I use a Gelfoam pledget which is twisted pretty tightly as I insert it into the delivery syringe. I doubt that it breaks up a whole lot on release, especially since in most cases a single one of these 'torpedoes' is enough to stop flow in the ovarian.