Place de l’embolisation dans le traitement des fibromes

Construction of an Injectable Composite Double-Network Hydrogel as a Liquid Embolic Agent

Conventional embolists disreputably tend to recanalization arising from the low filling ratio due to their rigidity or instability. As a result, intelligent hydrogels with a tunable modulus may meaningfully improve the therapeutic efficacy. Herein, an injectable composite double-network (CDN) hydrogel with high shear responsibility was prepared as a liquid embolic agent by cross-linking poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) via dynamic covalent bonding of borate ester and benzoic-imine. A two-dimensional nanosheet, i.e., layered double hydroxide (LDH), was incorporated into the network through physical interactions which led to serious reduction of yield stress for the injection of the hydrogel and the capacity for loading therapeutic agents like indocyanine green (ICG) and doxorubicin (DOX) for the functions of photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemotherapy. The CDN hydrogel could thus be transported through a thin catheter and further in situ strengthened under physiological conditions, like in blood, by secondarily cross-linking with phosphate ions for longer degradation duration and better mechanical property. These characteristics met the requirements of arterial interventional embolization, which was demonstrated by renal embolism operation on rabbits, and meanwhile favored the inhibition of subcutaneous tumor growth on an animal model. Therefore, this work makes a breakthrough in the case of largely reducing the embolism risks, thus affording a novel generation for interventional embolization.

Therapeutic management of uterine fibroid tumors: updated French guidelines

The medical management of symptomatic non-submucosal uterine fibroid tumors (leiomyomas or myomas) is based on the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding by any of the following: progestogens, a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device, tranexamic acid, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or GnRH analogs. Selective progesterone receptor modulators are currently being evaluated and have recently been approved for fibroid treatment. Neither combined estrogen-progestogen contraception nor hormone treatment of the menopause is contraindicated in women with fibroids. When pregnancy is desired, whether or not infertility is being treated by assisted reproductive technology, hysteroscopic resection in one or two separate procedures of submucosal fibroids less than 4 cm in length is recommended, regardless of whether they are symptomatic. Interstitial, also known as intramural, fibroids have a negative effect on fertility but treating them does not improve fertility. Myomectomy is therefore indicated only for symptomatic fibroids; depending on their size and number, and may be performed by laparoscopy or laparotomy. Physicians must explain to women the potential consequences of myomas and myomectomy on future pregnancy. For perimenopausal women who have been informed of the alternatives and the risks, hysterectomy is the most effective treatment for symptomatic fibroids and is associated with a high rate of patient satisfaction. When possible, the vaginal or laparoscopic routes should be preferred to laparotomy for hysterectomies for fibroids considered typical on imaging. Because uterine artery embolization is an effective treatment with low long-term morbidity, it is an option for symptomatic fibroids in women who do not want to become pregnant, and a validated alternative to myomectomy and hysterectomy that must be offered to patients. Myolysis is under assessment, and research on its use is recommended. Isolated laparoscopic ligation of the uterine arteries is a potential alternative to uterine artery embolization; it also complements myomectomy by reducing intraoperative bleeding. It is possible to use second-generation techniques of endometrial ablation to treat submucosal fibroids in women whose families are complete. Subtotal hysterectomy is a possible alternative to total hysterectomy for fibroid treatment, given that by laparotomy the former has a lower complication rate than the latter, while by laparoscopy, these rates are the same. In each case, the patient is informed about the benefit and risk associated with each therapeutic option.