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Open Access 03-02-2025 | Menopause | Reproductive physiology and disease

Long-term outcomes and re-intervention rates in women undergoing mri-guided focused ultrasound (mrgfus) for uterine fibroids: a 7-year follow-up study

Authors: Yael Inbar, Jaron Rabinovici, Rachael Sverdlove, Tomer Ziv-Baran, Ronit Machtinger

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics

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Abstract

Purpose

To assess the long-term outcomes of MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for treating uterine fibroids, focusing on re-intervention rates, pregnancy outcomes, and the onset of menopause over a 7-year follow-up period.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a historical cohort study of 99 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids who underwent MRgFUS between 2013 and 2020 at a single tertiary medical center. Data collection included patient demographics, treatment details, and follow-up interviews. Re-intervention rates were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression analysis to identify predictors of further treatments, with a specific focus on age-related differences.

Results

Over a median follow-up of 6.1 years, 33.1% of women required re-intervention for persistent fibroid symptoms. The median patient's age was 43 years old. Women aged ≤ 43 years had significantly higher re-intervention rates than those aged 44 + years (47.5% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.005). Multivariable Cox regression identified age as the sole significant predictor of re-intervention (HR44+vs. <43 0.303 95% CI 0.128–0.714, p = 0.006). Sixteen women conceived after MRgFUS, resulting in 21 pregnancies, with 72.2% live births and a spontaneous miscarriage rate of 22.2%. The mean age of menopause was 51.4 years, similar to global averages.

Conclusions

MRgFUS is a practical, noninvasive option for treating symptomatic uterine fibroids. Older women show lower re-intervention rates. Pregnancies post-MRgFUS are possible, and the procedure does not appear to affect the onset of menopause. Age remains a crucial predictor for further re-intervention.
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Metadata
Title
Long-term outcomes and re-intervention rates in women undergoing mri-guided focused ultrasound (mrgfus) for uterine fibroids: a 7-year follow-up study
Authors
Yael Inbar
Jaron Rabinovici
Rachael Sverdlove
Tomer Ziv-Baran
Ronit Machtinger
Publication date
03-02-2025
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-025-03405-9

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