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Non-invasive HIFU technology for uterine fibroids and adenomyosis

High-intensity focused ultrasound ( HIFU ) lower abdomen discomfort or tenderness , back pain , a sensation of fullness or pressure in the pelvic area , stomach bloating , and pain during intercourse . Common treatments for uterine fibroids and adenomyosis , are hysterectomy removal in the uterus , myomectomy , and removal of the adenomyomectomy ( removal of adenomyosis ). Most women do not want to undergo a hysterectomy . Myomectomy and adenomyomectomy may lead to complication during pregnancy .
As HIFU utilises a technology that is a non-invasive procedure , patients do not require general anaesthesia during the procedure and are able to walk-away scar-free . The procedure also has the upper hand on recovery time when compared with surgeries such as myomectomy or hysterectomy . Women with the desire to conceive benefit the most from HIFU treatment because the procedure can precisely ablate the lesion , preserving the surrounding uterine muscles and tissues . The HIFU technology also causes less scar formation in the uterus wall , and so the expansion of the uterus to accommodate pregnancy and the contractility during labour can be retained .
The HIFU technology offers a completely non-invasive approach for the ablation ( shrinkage ) of adenomyoma and an alternative to surgical removal of uterine fibroids . A high-intensity ultrasound transducer directs sound waves to a specific location , raising local temperature of tissues from 60 ° C to 80 ° C , resulting in coagulative necrosis of the tissues . HIFU is performed with the guidance by either Magnetic Resonance Imaging ( MRgFUS ) as the imaging modality or Ultrasound ( USgHIFU ), which uses ultrasound scan as the imaging modality to target treatment to a specific focal area in the tissue while avoiding damage to intervening tissues .
HIFU utilises a technology that is a non-invasive procedure , patients do not require general anaesthesia during the procedure and are able to walkaway scar-free .
Dr . S . Selva

Mahkota Medical Centre ( MMC ) is the first medical facility in the country to introduce the high-intensity focused ultrasound ( HIFU ) technology , for the treatment of uterine fibroids and adenomyosis . With the establishment of this HIFU technology , MMC is changing the treatment landscape for women nationwide , offering a non-invasive , cuttingedge treatment option with clinically proven positive outcomes , that also preserves their fertility .

Uterine fibroids and adenomyosis are two common benign gynaecological tumours that deteriorate women ’ s quality of life during their reproductive years . Although both tumours are found in the uterus , they are very different gynaecological conditions . Fibroids are benign muscular tumours that grow in the uterine wall , whereas adenomyosis is a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus ( endometrium ) is found in the muscular wall of the uterus ( myometrium ).
Uterine fibroids and adenomyosis can cause many symptoms such as heavy and painful menstrual cramps ,
The key advantages of USgHIFU over MRgFUS are :
• It offers real-time imaging , which enables the doctor to look at the tissue while the procedure is done .
• It uses a larger and more powerful transducer , which shortens the duration and in-creases the efficacy of the treatment .
• It offers greater accessibility to patient and flexibility in patient positioning , making patients feel more comfortable .
• It is less costly .
“ HIFU procedure is a game-changer as it will be able to provide a solution that mitigates the scaring , and the fertility impact patients may face in typical treatments for fibroid and adenomyosis removal . Additionally , this non-invasive state-of-the-art technology will also benefit pa-tients with a short recovery duration , allowing them to return to their daily routine in no time ,” said Dr . S . Selva , Obstetrician & Gynaecologist , and Reproductive Medicine Specialist of Mahkota Medical Centre . n
GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com MAY 2022
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