J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  1999 Mar;18(1):47-51.

Role of Color Doppler US in the Evaluation of Uterine Leiomyoma Treated with Gonadotrophin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Agonist (Zoladex)

• Kim JS
• Sohn CH
• Lee TS

Abstract

PURPOSE: To access the role of color Doppler US in the evaluation of uterine leiomyoma treated with GnRH agonist (Zoladex).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Out of 25 patients with uterine leiomyoma treated with Zoladex, nineteen cases of leiomyoma in 18 women who had US examination before and after medication were included in this study. Zoladex was injected subcutaneously three times within three months. Both gray scale and color Doppler US were obtained before and 1-3 months after the medication. The size, volume, location and internal echoes of the leiomyoma were recorded with gray scale US. Changes in the amount of color signal within leiomyomas were recorded. Pulsatility index (PI), resistive index (RI), peak systolic velocity (PSV) of both uterine artery and arteries within leiomyomas were also recorded. The image findings of good response group and poor response group in which the volume reduction of the leiomyoma was above or below 50% respectively were compared with each other. The reduction of the volume of leiomyoma was compared between a group with decrease in the amount of color signals during follow-up US and a group with increase or no change.
RESULTS
Mean reduction of the volume of leiomyomas was 52%. Changes in the amount of color signals of the leiomyoma, PI, RI, PSV obtained from the arteries within leiomyomas were not correlated with the change of the volume of leiomyomas. PSV of uterine artery in one month follow-up and PI of two month follow-up were correlated with the changes of the volume of leiomyomas (p<0.05). RI of uterine artery in two month follow-up was useful in prediction of the good response group and the poor response group (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The prediction of the volume reduction of leiomyoma following Zoladex medication might be possible by obtaining RI of uterine artery in two month follow-up. Doppler US of the arteries within the leiomyoma was not useful.

MeSH Terms

Arteries
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
Goserelin
Humans
Leiomyoma*
Uterine Artery
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
Goserelin