BROOKDALE ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF NEW ALTERNATIVE
TO HYSTERCTOMY FOR FIBROID TUMORS

Brooklyn, NY - October 2, 2001 - In keeping up with the state-of-the-art medical and surgical services that The Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center has always provided to the community, twenty-first century techniques are now available for uterine fibroid treatment. Women who suffer from fibroid tumors can now choose a simpler and safer, non-surgical procedure without the physical and emotional techniques impact of a hysterectomy. The procedure called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is now offered at Brookdale announced Dr. I. Akiva Wulkan, Chairman of the Department of Radiology.

Symptomatic uterine fibroids are extremely common in women of all ages. Some of the symptoms are heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic, leg or back pain. Once symptoms develop and if the fibroids fail to respond to medical therapy, a hysterectomy might be recommended. At Brookdale, a less invasive procedure is offered as an alternative by Dr. A. Dov Reichman, Director of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.

While under sedation, a catheter is inserted through the femoral artery to the uterine artery. An arteriogram is performed before the embolization to provide a road map of the blood supply to the fibroids. Particles of polyvinyl alcohol, the size of grains of sand, are slowly injected with x-ray guidance until both uterine arteries are completely blocked and there is no blood supply to the fibroids. The lack of blood flow will cause shrinkage of the fibroids and result in resolution of their symptoms. At the end of the procedure a final arteriogram is performed confirming cessation of blood flow to the fibroids. An overnight stay in the hospital is required.

For more information on uterine fibroid embolization as an alternative to a hysterectomy or about other services provided by Brookdale's Department of Interventional Radiology, please call (718) 240-6743.