Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39613955›Full record

ArticleEuropean radiology2025

Ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound for symptomatic uterine fibroids: clinical outcome of two European centers.

Sara Dohmen, Florian Recker, Yoana Ivanova, Holger M Strunk, Tolga Tonguc, Olga Ramig, Marcus Thudium, Judith M Stader, Rupert Conrad, Markus Essler and 5 more

Abstract readMulticenter Study
In one paragraph

Article in European radiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Sara Dohmen *Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Florian Recker *Department of Gynaecology and Gynaecological Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Yoana IvanovaSt. Marina University Hospital, Medical University Pleven, Pleven, Bulgaria.
Holger M StrunkUniversity of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Tolga TongucDepartment of Rаdiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Olga RamigDepartment of Rаdiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Marcus ThudiumDepartment of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Judith M StaderDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Rupert ConradDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
Markus EsslerDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Eva-Katharina EggerDepartment of Gynaecology and Gynaecological Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Alexander MusteaDepartment of Gynaecology and Gynaecological Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Grigor A GortchevSt. Marina University Hospital, Medical University Pleven, Pleven, Bulgaria.
Dobromir Dimitrov *Department of Surgical Propedeutics/HIFU Center University Hospital St. Marina, Medical University Peleven, Pleven, Bulgaria.
Milka Marinova *Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany. milka.marinova@ukbonn.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1856-5005

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThe aim of this study is to assess the clinical outcome and mid-term efficacy of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) as a treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids at two major European HIFU centers. MATERIALS AND

methodsThis bi-center longitudinal clinical study involved the treatment of 100 patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids using USgHIFU (n = 59 in Germany, n = 41 in Bulgaria). Clinical outcomes were evaluated at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year follow-up utilizing the uterine fibroid symptoms-quality of life questionnaire for fibroid-related symptoms and health-related quality of life as well as MRI imaging for determining the fibroid volume.

resultsThe mean fibroid volume reduction rate was 33.2 ± 22.9%, 51.3 ± 24.2%, and 59.1 ± 28.0% at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year, respectively (each p < 0.001). The mean symptom severity score decreased from 43.9 ± 18.8 at baseline to 35.4 ± 18.2 at 6 weeks, 31.1 ± 20.0 at 6 months, and 23.1 ± 14.0 at 1 year (each p < 0.001). The mean QOL score improved from 56.5 ± 23.4 at baseline to 65.4 ± 22.2 at 6 weeks, 72.5 ± 19.5 at 6 months, and 79.4 ± 15.3 at 1 year (each p < 0.001). No major complications were observed, though two patients experienced temporary sciatic nerve irritation following the procedure. Four patients had pregnancies and deliveries without any complications after USgHIFU therapy.

conclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study conducted in two major European HIFU centers that reveals the clinical efficacy of USgHIFU ablation on symptomatic uterine fibroids. Our results confirm that USgHIFU is a non-invasive approach with a low risk of complications, offering an innovative treatment option for affected women. KEY POINTS: Question To evaluate mid-term clinical efficacy and safety of US-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for treating symptomatic uterine fibroids and patient outcomes across two European centers. Findings US-guided HIFU treatment resulted in significant fibroid volume reduction (up to 59.1% after 1 year) improving symptoms and quality of life with no major complications. Clinical relevance This prospective longitudinal study provides preliminary data assessing mid-term efficacy and clinical outcomes of ultrasound-guided HIFU. It is shown to be a low-risk, non-invasive treatment option for symptomatic uterine fibroids that reduces fibroid size and improves patients' quality of life.

Indexed as

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound AblationLeiomyomaUltrasonography, InterventionalUterine NeoplasmsAdultBulgariaFemaleGermanyHumansLongitudinal StudiesMagnetic Resonance ImagingMiddle AgedQuality of LifeTreatment OutcomeFibroid-related symptomsHealth-related quality of lifeHigh-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)Non-invasive treatment optionSymptomatic uterine fibroids

Identifiers

PMID39613955
PMCPMC12081518

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.