Monitoring Leiomyoma Response to Uterine Artery Embolization Using Diffusion and Perfusion Indices from Diffusion-Weighted Imaging

PURPOSE To investigate the potential of diffusion and perfusion indices (ADC and perfusion fraction f) from DWI at 3.0 T in monitoring treatment response to uterine artery embolization (UAE) at 6-month follow-up. METHODS Twelve female patients with uterine fibroids who underwent 3.0-T pelvic DWI before and 6 months after UAE were included. ADC and perfusion fraction f were calculated from DWI. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Spearman rank correlation test were used for statistics. RESULTS Seventeen fibroids were studied. The median ADCs showed a significant increase from 1.20 × 10-3 mm2/s (range, 0.86-1.66 × 10-3 mm2/s) at baseline to 1.56 × 10-3 mm2/s (range, 1.00-1.86 × 10-3 mm2/s) at 6-month follow-up (P = 0.0003). Conversely, the median perfusion fraction f was significantly decreased after UAE (P = 0.0001), with a median pre-UAE value of 14.2% (range, 6.7%-17.6%) and a median post-UAE value of 9.2% (range, 3.2%-14.6%). Significant correlations were found between fibroid volume reduction rate and percentage changes in ADC and perfusion fraction f at 6-month follow-up relative to baseline, with ρ values of -0.50 (P = 0.04) and 0.55 (P = 0.02), respectively. CONCLUSION ADC and perfusion fraction f obtained from DWI at 3.0 T may help to evaluate treatment response to UAE.