If you or anyone you know struggles with painful periods and have been diagnosed with adenomyosis, Dr Imtiaz Ahmad performs non-surgical adenomyosis treatment which can solve your miseries.
Adenomyosis: The Biology Behind it
In order to fully understand adenomyosis, it is important to first break down the word itself. Adeno meaning glands, while myosis can be further divided into myo for muscle and osis referring to condition. A more specific term for adenomyosis is also adenomyometritis, but it is not as commonly used. The uterus, which is part of the reproductive system in the females, is normally made of three layers of tissue; endometrium(inner), myometrium (middle muscular layer) and Perimetrium (outer epithelial layer). Each layer serves an important function in maintaining the integrity of the reproductive system. Altogether, adenomyosis is a condition wherein the tissue of the endometrium comprised of luminal and glandular cells rapidly divide (hyperplasia) and extend or invaginate into the myometrial layer.
A key point to remember while discussing adenomyosis is to not confuse it with endometriosis. The two conditions may co-exist amongst others and present similar symptoms, but they are different to one another in terms of their pathophysiology. While endometriosis is the growth of endometrial tissue in places near to but outside of uterus and adenomyosis exists only within the uterine muscular layer. Adenomyosis treatment may be necessary in cases where symptoms start interfering with day-to-day matters. This majorly includes severe pain between periods.
When to see a doctor?
Every 1 in 31 women who have adenomyosis remain largely asymptomatic, and therefore undiagnosed. Those who do experience discomfort are also often misdiagnosed due to non-specificity of symptoms, especially in the case of a co-existing problem like uterine fibroids. Nevertheless, adenomyosis may present itself in the form of painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea) accompanied with prolonged bleeding (menorrhagia) and discomfort during sexual intercourse, too. This is commonly known as dyspareunia. On the imaging, the specialist might be able to see an enlarged uterus, but it will be felt by the patient as pressure around the lower abdominal region.
How will you be Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of Adenomyosis usually follows a trans vaginal ultrasound imagining which may be able to reveal the unusually thick lining of the myometrium. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish between adenomyosis and fibroids. In that case, an MRI reveals the incidence of adenomyosis. Most of the time,adenomyosis is confirmed after hysterectomy has been performed. This may be when the specialists are not sure of the condition, but the symptoms are too painful or when they suspect that the tissue may also comprise cancerous cells in which case it would be adenocarcinoma.
Adenomyosis Treatment
Women with severe adenomyosis symptoms are usually looking for a period pain treatment. The definitive treatment of adenomyosis is through hysterectomy, which is the complete removal of the uterus. This may be okay for some women but a very upsetting news for most. Since adenomyosis occurs under the influence of estrogen, it is usually at the peak reproductive age. The condition often resolves itself after menopause due to the same reason. Hence, women who still want to conceive may be appalled by hysterectomy. Moreover, the surgical process of removing the uterus is invasive and is slowly becoming obsolete.
Advancement in interventional radiology has now made it possible to alleviate period pain with a non-surgical and noninvasive approach. Adenomyosis treatment now follows a systematic approach which offers little to no post operative complications or care and maximum patient compliance is guaranteed.
Endovascular Adenomyosis Treatment
Three-dimensional precision guided endovascular treatment is a non-invasive approach to provide adenomyosis treatment and alleviate period pain without putting the fertility at risk. The rationale behind the treatment is to precisely block the arteries supplying blood to adenomyosis which is essentially just endometrial tissue. The entire procedure comprises not only uterine artery embolization but also, a complete set of steps to increase patient compliance and comfort. These include post embolization syndrome management, superior hypogastric nerve plexus block and intra-arterial pain management. As a prerequisite, complete health analysis is done to assess the medical fitness status of the patient before moving on to the treatment. Once the procedure is completed, you should also expect a thorough follow-up for up to one year. In cases where the goal is to restore fertility, a more thorough follow up should be expected.
The procedure employs live imaging to accurately locate the blood vessels supplying blood to adenomyosis. The imaging also helps assess the number of arteries involved and their sizes. This makes the procedure accurate and reduces complications. The blood supply to these growths is blocked using miniature but programmed and specially engineered permanent devices. To begin, mild conscious sedation is achieved. Following, microcatheters are introduced in the patient’s body through the femoral/radial artery in the leg or wrist. This is achieved without causing any pain as a result of topical cold spray anesthesia followed by local anesthesia. Once the blood vessels are located, the FDA approved medical particles are then administered through the catheter. These embolic agents are small micron-sized particles that are engineered/programmed to block the blood supply to only adenomyosis while sparing the normal uterine wall. Medical particles/drugs used in the endovascular treatment are highly specific and are only issued to Licensed/Registered practitioners in United States of America. In this way, embolization is successfully achieved.
Adenomyosis treatment is now available in Pakistan byDr Imtiaz Ahmad, who is an interventional radiology specialist and endovascular surgical specialist. He offers his services in two major cities of Pakistan: Karachi and Lahore. If you or your loved one is suffering from severe period pain and other symptoms that point toward adenomyosis, a consultation by Dr Imtiaz Ahmad or his team of highly qualified consultants available daily is the first step to bring an end to your misery.
Obesity is caused by excess fat accumulation in the body. This is a gender-neutral disease, and more or less affects everyone the same way. While a multitude of health-related risks are associated directly with obesity, many pathologies enable gain in weight and also make it an arduous task to shed some pounds. A standard way of concluding if you’re overweight or borderline obese is to calculate your body mass index (BMI). All you need for this calculation is an accurate weight (in Kilograms) and height (in meters), however, these units can be easily converted to and from pounds, centimeters, or ft. The simple formula is to divide the weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters. The resultant BMI can then be matched with the following paradigm:
BMI (kg/m2)
What It Means
<18.5
Underweight
18.5-24.9
Normal
25-29.9
Overweight
>30
Obese
When you calculate the BMI a few times, you will realize that a few extra kilograms make a lot of difference since after reaching a certain age, the only variation between height and weight is in weight. A key point to remember here: BMI does not differentiate between body types. Your BMI may classify you as obese when you are only muscular or pregnant. Therefore, it is not the ultimate test of your body health under every circumstance but an accurate comparison index besides that.
Nevertheless, obesity has now become a pressing problem worldwide but especially in the developed regions. This imposes a burden on the healthcare system as obesity never sustains on its own. It is not how the human body is designed, and it certainly impacts the person in more than one way: all of which are severely detrimental if not considered as such in due time. Obesity without any underlying condition such as metabolic disorders is mainly caused by a long-term ignorance of a balanced diet and lack of physical activity.
However, when obesity impacts not just an individual’s mental health but also bleeds into other consequences such as reproductive health, the disease becomes ten times as serious and of concern.
Infertility in Women
Several studies have successfully drawn a link between obesity and infertility in women. Data suggest Polycystic Ovary Syndrome(PCOS) is associated with obesity, thus leading to infertility. Although the underlying mechanism of PCOS is not precisely understood, insulin resistance is often seen to be at the foothold of the syndrome. Influence of Obesity is further confirmed in nonobese women with PCOS who are not as frequently diagnosed with Insulin Resistance. Moreover, even in an otherwise normal weight female, the abdominal pattern of fat can decrease fertility. In fact, this may be more detrimental than being obese overall.
The way in which obesity affects reproductive health is predicated on metabolism. Altered follicle production and complications in embryo development are found to be associated with steroid metabolism and other adipokines(signaling molecules of metabolism). Consequently, an overall poor ovarian response in obese women causes reduced oocyte (egg) retrieval.
Moreover, even miscarriages are more common in obese women. Nevertheless, there is also some discrepancy in the data for obesity and infertility due to a variation in what is considered as the endpoint for obesity to start associating it with infertility. As a general rule of thumb, BMI and infertility are linked when the former is above 30.
Infertility in Men
Contrary to the responsibilities of a female body that produces eggs and becomes the site for fertilization and implantation, the reproductive health of men is majorly equitable to the health of their sperms. While obesity might directly impact androgen production, it may also play a role in Erectile Dysfunction, which influences the delivery of sperm. Studies have reported a prominent decrease in the levels of free testosterone in the blood in obese men. The levels of testosterone are found to be associated with impaired stimulatory and inhibitory processes.
Even though obesity is not as widely studied in men as it is in women, the association of abnormal weight with men’s infertility can not be ignored. Hence, to circumvent health issues arising from being overweight or obese, the minimally invasive bariatric embolization procedure is now available in Pakistan, conducted by the pioneer of embolization procedures Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed, who is a consultant Endovascular surgeon and an Interventional Radiologist.
Treatment For Obesity: Bariatric Embolization
Infertility in women and men who are obese can be restored once the underlying reason is addressed i.e. excess weight. Bariatric embolization is a minimally invasive alternative to the infamous bariatric surgery, which comes with a glut of side effects. On the contrary, Bariatric Embolization works on the same principle but comes under the umbrella of Interventional Radiology. This not only increases the precision of this minimally invasive endovascular procedure and makes it many fold effective but also reduces the recurrence rate and post-procedure patient noncompliance.
To delineate, Gamma block bariatric arterial embolization is performed under 3-dimensional live imaging to precisely identify the vessels leading to the fundus of the stomach. This innovative procedure was first introduced by Dr Imtiaz Ahmad in 2017 and since then has been performed successfully on hundreds of patients with excellent results to date. Microcatheters are guided under imaging to either the radial or the femoral artery, which then reaches the left gastric artery, right gastroepiploic artery and short gastric arteries supplying arterial blood to a specific area in the gastric fundus. Embolization, too, is performed under image guidance, which blocks the blood supply to the fundus; the part of the stomach ”Hunger center” that releases hunger hormone(ghrelin). Consequently, ghrelin is inhibited, reducing the feeling of hunger in the patient. As a result, the patient can focus on reducing weight through physical activity and not get distracted by his/her hunger pangs.
Weight loss through Gamma block bariatric arterial embolization has the potential to tackle the serious epidemic of obesity and infertility. If you are tired of seeing the weighing scale reading and depressed over getting repeatedly negative pregnancy tests, it is time to consider Bariatric Embolization. In Pakistan, you can consult Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad through an appointment in Karachi or Lahore.
What is Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (Pelvic Congestion Syndrome)?
Pelvic congestion syndrome is a vascular disease that presents itself in the form of chronic pelvic pain lasting for more than three to six months. Since Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is essentially a venous syndrome, it must be the incompetency in the interconnected veins around the pelvic region that cause it. To understand the anatomy underlying Pelvic Congestion syndrome, let’s consider the nervous system in the area around the pelvis. Generally, uterine and internal Iliac veins drain the blood from the uterus and vagina. However, sometimes the fundus of the uterus is drained not into the uterine veins but into the ovarian plexus. The ovarian plexus divides into left and right wherein the former drains into the left renal vein and the right ovarian plexus drains right below the right renal vein. Eventually, these vulvoperineal veins drain into the femoral vein. When the veins in this route are damaged, it may result in inefficient drainage, also known as ‘congestion’, hence giving the syndrome its name.
Increased pressure in the pelvic veins is the primary cause of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. Consequently, the patient will suffer at the hands of ovarian vein reflux or/and varicose veins. While ovarian reflux happens as a result of faulty valves, varicosities are more commonly seen in multiparous women or in simple words, women who have had more than one full-term pregnancy. The dilatation of veins around the pelvis plays a major role in compromising the venous drainage as it allows pooling of the blood, and increases pressure. Research suggests a 60-fold increase in the capacity of pelvic veins during pregnancy/post-pregnancy to sustain the pregnancy, however this often results in chronic pelvic pain pre and post pregnancy. Moreover, while the woman is pregnant, the veins are compressed by the belly, increasing the pressure and eventually leading to venous incompetency. Now that we have touched on the anatomy of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome, let’s delve into its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
It is important to understand that Pelvic Congestion Syndrome can be easily misdiagnosed as there are many reasons for pelvic pain. Only a close eye on the pelvic congestion syndrome symptoms can tell apart Pelvic Congestion Syndrome from other causes of pelvic pain. These include but are not limited to pain in the lower back, thigh and pelvic region which also extends to the postcoital region. The painful sensations may worsen on the onset of menstruation and also during strenuous activity, including standing for a long duration. Once these symptoms are ruled out against other pelvic pathologies, a thorough analysis, diagnosis and treatment will be done by an interventional radiologist or a vascular specialist. To recapitulate, consider consulting your doctor to rule out Pelvic Congestion Syndrome if you have identified all or majority of the following symptoms:
A prominent pressure felt in the pelvic region
The pelvic pain has lasted for over 6 months
Pain extending to lower back; dull but discomforting
Irritable bladder leading to urinary/stress incontinence
Anomaly in bowel movements; Alternating between diarrhea and constipation
Dyspareunia: painful sexual intercourse
How to diagnose Pelvic Congestion Syndrome?
The prerequisite of correct diagnosis for Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is having awareness and working knowledge of the syndrome. Since pelvic pain is a symptom that is cross-cutting in the pathophysiology of several diseases, it is important to first rule out other possibilities. The doctor does not only do confirmatory tests to diagnose Pelvic Congestion Syndrome but also tests that help avoids misdiagnosis. Firstly, a manual examination of the pelvic and abdominal area is performed. This may reveal varicosities in the region and tenderness around the ovaries/uterus area, which will need further attention. Secondly, blood and urine tests may be advised to rule out the possibility of an infection or even pregnancy, which are frequent causes of pelvic pain. A transabdominal ultrasound will also be performed. During this, the patient is lying down in the supine position. However, there is a greater possibility of missing Pelvic Congestion Syndrome in the supine position since there is no distension of the veins and hence no pressure. Therefore, a better approach is to consider examinations in both positions. Furthermore, a transvaginal Doppler Ultrasound gives a comprehensive picture of the venous blood flow in the pelvic region and final confirmation can be drawn from an MRI.
How to Avoid Pelvic Congestion Syndrome – Risk factors
While Pelvic Congestion syndrome can occur in both men and women, the data is strongly bent in the direction of females. Approximately 3 in every 10 women develop Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. In most cases, multiparous women develop congestion in the pelvic after giving birth. The reason for this has already been discussed above. However, even in a non-pregnant state, the pelvic veins are more vulnerable to dilatation. Even more so, female hormones and congenital venous defects are also counted amongst the causes of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. Finally, obesity is one of the causes of venous insufficiency and pelvic congestion, too. This is why one of the preventive measures for Pelvic Congestion Syndrome includes maintaining healthy weight gain during pregnancy and otherwise.
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Treatment: Know Your Options
Medical therapy as a part of conservative management can be employed in patients with non-faulty ovarian veins or isolated dilatation in the venous plexus of the pelvic region. Hormone treatment, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, psychotropic agents combined with psychotherapy all are approaches taken in medical therapy for PCS. Surgical methods to alleviate PCS include vein ligation, hysterectomy and even uterus repositioning. All of these are highly invasive and data suggests a high recurrence rate, too.
Minimally Invasive Endovascular Treatment
With the advancement in medical science, the treatment options for vascular diseases like pelvic congestion syndrome transitioned from being only a few in number and invasive to becoming minimally invasive and alternative approaches. Pelvic Congestion Syndrome treatment through Endovascular embolization is the safest option and has supplanted other surgical routes.. The treatment aims to remedy the underlying cause of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome, which is the venous reflux. The procedure begins with locating and treating the most severely dilated veins or the ones that are distal. This is done via venography in a semi upright position by inserting guiding catheters into the transfemoral or brachial veins with special dyes. This is performed under anesthesia to reach maximum patient compliance. Once the detailed procedure is performed using valsalva maneuver, the Endovascular surgeon detects the varicose veins and vein reflux. The patient is now ready to go under embolization.
Using microcatheter, the distal/dilated veins are chosen for embolization. A well titrated mixture of Cyanoacrylate mixed with lipoidal or a copolymer dissolved in DMSO serves as the embolizing agent while micronized tantalum powder acts as a contrast agent for easy fluoroscopic guidance and visualization. Through this process, reflux veins are blocked up till the distal ovarian vein to include all possible collateral branch points. The embolization procedure requires no coils. Sometimes, complex venous syndrome calls for multiple embolizations. The success of embolization is assessed on the visual analog scale through the pain scores. The patients undergo a strict follow-up after 1 month and then every six months. Eventually yearly follow up for about five years can be expected.
If you reside in Pakistan and suspect that you might have developed Pelvic Congestion Syndrome then it is time to consult Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad, who is a Consultant Endovascular Surgeon and an Interventional Radiologist. He is the pioneer in bringing and conducting embolization in the country since 2017 in the two cities of Pakistan: Karachi and Lahore. So far, he has treated thousands of patients with varying forms of vascular diseases.
Feel free to WhatsApp all your reports to 03302963300 for free assessment by Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad.
In the 21st century, obesity is a leading public health issue and a burgeoning pandemic. It has staggering effects on human health and is a severe burden on health care. Obesity is a major cause of morbidity and mortality associated with a range of comorbid diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, liver diseases, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. Over a period of time, it can exacerbate numerous medical ailments. Besides just being a physical and cosmetic concern, it has psychological manifestations. Traditional treatments for obesity like bariatric surgery can be ineffective for some patients, carry side effects, and are very expensive. A relatively new treatment approach is the bariatric embolization procedure is patient-oriented and overcomes these limitations.
Obesity – What Does It Cost?
There was a time when obesity was seen as a health concern in high-income countries, but now the highest numbers of obesity cases are observed in middle and low-income countries. When it comes to obesity it gets more complex than what meets the eye. It is a multifactorial disease that is defined as the accumulation of excessive body fat. People who have a body mass index (BMI) equal to 25 kg/m2 are deemed overweight while those having a BMI equal to or greater than 30 kg/m2 are considered obese. The prevalence of obesity in adults rises up to 27.5%, with an overall mortality increase of 29%, for every five-unit increase in the BMI above 25 kg/m2. Moreover, it is estimated that by 2025, global obesity prevalence is expected to reach 18% in men and surpass 21% in women, with many countries experiencing much higher levels. Numerous polymorphic gene products, gut microbiome, and especially hormonal effects play a major role in the balance of food intake and weight gain by sending signals to multiple areas in the central nervous system that are responsible for appetite regulation. One of such hormones is ghrelin, which is an anabolic gastrointestinal hormone that increases body weight by stimulating appetite.
Weight-Loss Options
The first approach to weight loss that makes the most sense is to be mindful of eating habits and physical activity. However, for some individuals, obesity might have reached a point of no return. They might be at a high risk of developing comorbidities or life-threatening diseases. In order to expedite their weight loss process, several interventions can be done. Let’s go through the major treatment options. Obesity can be addressed through lifestyle modifications, medical interventions, and surgical procedures. However, surgical options are highly invasive and accompany several side effects. While lifestyle modification is almost always the initial approach towards weight loss by eating a controlled diet and exercising regularly, studies have shown that it helps only up to 5% to 10% in the case of either overweight or obese patients. The next option to avail is weight-loss through pharmacotherapy. For this, there is a very limited repertoire of anti-obesity agents that can be used which engender their own set of side effects.
Patients that are morbidly obese, and experience obesity-related comorbidities require more aggressive and rigorous management. For such patients, the last resort is bariatric surgery or more simply put, weight-loss surgery. There are several types of bariatric surgeries that result in weight loss which essentially works on the same principle, that is reduced food consumption or malabsorption. Gastric Banding and Sleeve Gastrectomy are some of them. Bariatric surgery, when combined with lifestyle modification, has proven to result in significant and sustained weight loss. Estimated weight loss among different surgical procedures accounts for up to 19% for gastric banding, 30% in sleeve gastrectomy, and approximately 36% in Roux-en-Y surgeries. However, don’t forget that because you’re going under the knife, these surgeries are associated with a relatively high morbidity rate that ranges from 2% to 17% generally.
In this regard, there is a real need to develop new treatments that are clinically effective, less invasive, and cost-effective for prospective patients. This is especially true for patients who don’t want to go down a surgical route. Considering that the principle that bariatric embolization employs works well to enhance weight loss. An intervention to supplant the surgical route with that of a non-invasive one makes the most sense. One such technique is the bariatric embolization procedure which bridges the gap between bariatric surgery and a non-invasive procedure for weight loss.
What Is Bariatric Arterial Embolization?
Bariatric arterial embolization (BAE) or simply bariatric embolization is a relatively new endovascular image-guided technique that provides a low-cost and minimally invasive alternative for obese patients. It is a trans-catheter procedure that aims to regulate endocrine functions of the gastric fundus by inducing metabolic changes similar to those induced by bariatric surgery.
This technique uses embolic microspheres for the trans-arterial embolization of the gastric fundus (the region which is mainly involved in the production of appetite-stimulating endocrine functions within the stomach) mainly through the left gastric artery (LGA) and, to a lesser extent, the gastroepiploic artery (GEA) with the final goal of inducing localized ischemia of the gastric fundus which is aimed to reduce ghrelin production, leading to appetite suppression and weight-loss.
The safety and efficacy of BAE have been demonstrated in many preliminary pre-clinical and clinical trials. Although the data is limited, there is a growing body of literature that verifies this procedure as feasible and well-tolerated by obese patients resulting in 7% to 17% weight loss. Clinical data has shown no serious adverse effects after the embolization procedure apart from nausea, vomiting, and superficial stomach ulceration or epigastric discomfort in the most severe of the cases.
Now it is your time to rejoice in your weight-loss journey since this procedure has been introduced and employed by Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed – an endovascular specialist, interventional radiologist, and non-surgical weight loss specialist in Pakistan who has been using an FDA-approved drug for the procedure since 2017. This facility can be availed in Karachi and Lahore with state-of-the-art technology and skilled team members. Although it is an outpatient procedure, the patient can expect a follow-up up to 6-12 months as a part of post-treatment practice.
If you’re not familiar with the term “adenomyosis” and are still confused about it, then you’re at the right place. This article will take you through the important information that you must know about adenomyosis. The more you know about the human body and the diseases, the greater would be the chance for you to make a timely and educated decision. A similar is true for Adenomyosis. Women must understand the gravity of the situation of the disease. According to statistics, 20% to 88% of women of reproductive age suffer at the hands of adenomyosis. The greatest paradox is in how little attention is paid to it. Being common in women of all age groups, adenomyosis still remains an under-researched disease condition that poses an array of major impacts on your day-to-day life. Eventually, this goes on to affect your overall productivity, mental health, and life choices. But need not worry, there are non-surgical adenomyosis treatment plans that can be opted.
In gynecology and healthcare economics, adenomyosis is a great clinical challenge. It is defined as a benign uterine disorder in which the endometrial glands and stroma grow abnormally within the myometrium. Adenomyosis is usually misunderstood with uterine fibroids or leiomyomas however, they both differ in their pathophysiology. Contrary to leiomyomas that have characteristic defined boundaries, a concerning issue with adenomyosis is that once it develops, it keeps on growing like a chafing fungal growth with no defined boundaries.
Coming towards the root cause of adenomyosis, it is believed to be originated due to either, the invasion of endometrial cells into the uterine walls, inflammation associated with childbirth, or metaplasia (differentiation of one type of adult cell into another type) of uterine stem cells. Symptoms of adenomyosis vary greatly amongst its victims. Where some might not show any symptoms while for others it is hard to endure them to a point where it impedes their daily activities. These symptoms include extreme menstrual bleeding, bloating, unrelenting abdominal cramps, and pelvic pain. If you or anyone you know has these symptoms, it is the right time to schedule a visit to the doctor.
Adenomyosis Treatment Options
A definitive adenomyosis diagnosis is necessary before your doctor prescribes a medication regime or procedure. For its diagnostic evaluation, a physical exam or an ultrasound is not enough. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan with contrast is necessary for its definitive diagnosis.
In part, your treatment plan will depend on the spectrum of your symptoms and the severity of the disease. The treatment options for adenomyosis span from prescribing specific adenomyosis medications, and undergoing hormonal therapies and invasive procedures such as endometrial ablation to surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) in the worst-case scenario. No matter what the condition, considering a hysterectomy is not something to be taken lightly. This is especially true if you’re young, and plan on having children. Before you go down this road, you should be well versed in all the consequences that it might bring with it. Understand that it’s not the ultimate solution and once done, you will no longer be fertile and able to conceive children. In order to avoid such a situation, you must first consider the best treatment plan for your adenomyosis. The good news is, that there is a non-surgical procedure to cure adenomyosis through a procedure known as 3-D precision guided uterine artery embolization (UAE). UAE has been around since 1995 as a preferable treatment option for a number of diseases. With research and knowledge, it is now possible to use it to treat adenomyosis, too.
Cure Adenomyosis Without Surgery
Uterine artery embolization is an outpatient and minimally invasive 3-D precision-guided endovascular treatment procedure. The treatment can only be performed by an expert in the field of interventional radiology. Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad is amongst the pioneers in Pakistan to have brought 3-D precision guided UAE to the people here. The procedure employs radiology in the form of real-time fluoroscopy to guide the specialist to the exact location and ensure precision. With the aid of an anesthetic spray and local anesthesia, the patient’s groin area is numbed. The femoral artery is then accessed from this area through a tube. Further, the FDA-approved micron size particles that block the blood flow to the affected area is administered through the guided tube inserted into the femoral artery. This will eventually cut off the blood supply and hence the adenomyosis outgrowths will shrink due to ischemic infarction.
The preference of the 3-D precision guided UAE over any other method for treating adenomyosis comes greatly from the level of patient compliance achieved. Being noninvasive in nature, patients need not worry about post-procedural complications. Other than minimal pain associated with the procedure which too subsides after a short while, there is no other reason for the patient to feel discomfort. The symptoms of adenomyosis will also qualify, further reducing the pain that the patient had pre-surgery.
3-D precision guided UAE is available in Pakistan in two of its major cities; Karachi and Lahore. The embolization procedure is carried out using an FDA-approved medical devices by Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad and his team of specialists. As a part of post-treatment practice, the patient can expect a follow-up up to 6 months. There are numerous success stories of patients that underwent 3-D precision guided UAE performed by Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed and his team that speak for their expertise in this regard. After undergoing the procedure, the patients have been observed to go back to their daily normal lives without any obstructions.
