Focused Ultrasound Program
Uterine fibroids are harmless, non-cancerous tumors that affect 30 to 40 percent of premenopausal women and 70 to 80 percent of women at age 50. Often fibroids do not have any associated symptoms; if no symptoms occur, no treatment is required.
However, you may need to have them removed or reduced if you experience:
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Pelvic pressure
- Pain
- Obstructive urinary and bowel symptoms
- Reproductive difficulties
To treat uterine fibroids, Duke offers non-invasive MRI-focused ultrasound — a technique that is less invasive than traditional treatments such as hysterectomy and myomectomy.
The procedure uses high-intensity ultrasound waves to remove fibroids without impacting the surrounding healthy tissue. The non-invasive technique uses an MRI thermal imaging system to continuously measure temperature changes inside the body, pinpointing and guiding the treatment.
Benefits of MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound
- Non-invasive outpatient procedure
- Limited conscious sedation
- No radiation
- Low morbidity, few adverse events
- Quick return to normal activity
Patients who have undergone this procedure have experienced 83 percent fewer physician visits, 66 percent fewer additional diagnostic tests, and 66 percent fewer additional procedures.
What to Expect
Your doctor will give you a sedative and pain medication to help you relax before the procedure. You’ll lie on your stomach inside the MRI scanner, and your treatment team will be in the next room speaking with you over a two-way communication system.
Your doctor will inform you when images are being taken and when ultrasound waves are heating portions of your uterus. It is normal to feel a warming sensation during the procedure.
You will be conscious during the entire procedure, which will last between 90 minutes and three hours. After the limited sedation wears off, you’ll be able to go home and resume normal activity.
Forms
The forms below are to be filled out only after completing the pre-screening process through our office and your eligibility being determined by Dr. Nieves.
Uterine Fibroid Symptoms Questionaire (PDF)
Focused Ultrasound Program Medical History form (PDF)
More Information
To learn more about MRI-guided focused ultrasound and other treatments available from the Duke University Health System, contact the office of Dr. Angel Nieves at 919-206-4880 (option 2) or fibroidcenter@mc.duke.edu.
Female Infertility Clinical Study looking for research subjects. Click here for more information.
