Predictive value of image indexes of B-mode and power Doppler sonography on the efficacy of high intensity focused ultrasound ablation for uterine fibroids

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the value of the image indexes of B-mode and power Doppler sonography in predicting the therapeutic efficacy of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation for uterine fibroids. Materials and methods: Two hundred and three patients with a solitary uterine fibroid were enrolled in this study. Every patient underwent transvaginal sonography (TVS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before HIFU. The patients were divided into hypointense, isointense and hyperintense fibroid groups based on T2 weighted MR imaging characteristics, and ultrasonic image indexes of the fibroids in different groups were compared. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between ultrasonic image indexes and energy efficiency factor (EEF), non-perfused volume (NPV) ratio of uterine fibroids. Results: Among them, 72 patients had a hypointense fibroid, 70 had an isointense fibroid and 61 had a hyperintense fibroid. Significant differences were observed in the ultrasound imaging gray scale value difference between the myometrium and uterine fibroids (GSmyo-fib), the ultrasound imaging gray scale value ratio of fibroids over the myometrium (GSfib/myo), and the ratio of power Doppler pixel area to fibroid area (PDPA/FA) among the three groups (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis showed that the PDPA/FA and the location of fibroids were the factors affecting the NPV ratio, a model for predicting the NPV ratio was established. Conclusions: A model with the PDPA/FA for NPV ratio could be used to predict the therapeutic efficacy of HIFU for fibroids.