Spontaneous expulsion of three large fibroids after uterine artery embolization

Objective: To report a case of uneventful expulsion of huge fibroids after uterine artery embolization. Design: Case report. Setting: The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of a university hospital. Patient(s): A 45-year-old woman who underwent uterine artery embolization for fibroids. Intervention(s): Transfemoral selective bilateral uterine artery catheterization and injection of 500-700 mum polyvinyl alcohol particles. Main Outcome Measure(s): Recovery of the patient. Result(s): The spontaneous expulsion of three fibroids on three different occasions over several months resulted in a significant reduction in menstrual loss and dysmenorrhea. Conclusion(s): Delivering fibroids or sections of fibroids may be a natural process after uterine artery embolization, therefore it is essential to warn women about the possible risk. Close follow-up is also essential. The size of the fibroids discharged did not require hysterectomy. Adequate antibiotic cover may be necessary to prevent sepsis. (C) 2003 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.