Uterine fibroids (non-cancerous tumors of the uterus) often come with symptoms such as frequent urination, cramping, painful periods and heavy bleeding. Fibroids may affect as many as 40 percent of women over the age of 35. Traditional treatment options include expensive hormonal treatments or invasive surgical procedures such as hysterectomies and myomectomies.

MRI & Imaging of Georgia is one of two places in the Southeast now offering a state-of-the-art, non-surgical, outpatient treatment option for uterine fibroids. The procedure is performed with ExAblate(R) 2000, the only FDA-approved Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound device for treating uterine fibroid tumors. The procedure preserves the uterus and cervix, offering significant improvement in quality of life for patients, while decreasing menstrual bleeding and urinary dysfunction.

The new technology uses highly focused ultrasound to ablate, or break down, fibroid tumors. The device works with a magnetic resonance, or MR, scanner to enable a physician to determine the level of heating and to monitor the progress of treatment during and after the procedure. It allows the physician to identify the three-dimensional images of the fibroid and surrounding organs with pinpoint precision and clearly distinguishes between treated and untreated tissue.

During the outpatient procedure, the patient lies inside the MR scanner, which provides precise guidance of the ultrasound waves to the target tissue. The heat of intense ultrasound waves ablates the affected tissue and the process is repeated as many times as necessary until the tumor is fully broken down. The patient’s body then naturally disposes of the affected tissue.

Depending on initial symptoms, most patients find relief from their fibroid-related symptoms within three months, according to a clinical study conducted by InSightec, the manufacturer of the ExAblate system.

At least 25 percent of women suffer from uterine fibroids and as many as 77 percent of women may actually have the condition but be unaware of it, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Although the cause of uterine fibroids is still unknown, several factors have been found to increase or decrease the risk of developing them. African- American women have a three to five times greater risk for developing uterine fibroids than Caucasian women. Women who are obese or overweight have a slightly higher risk of developing uterine fibroids, while women who have given birth have a lower risk of developing uterine fibroids.

Symptoms of uterine fibroid tumors include: heavy bleeding or painful periods; bleeding between periods; feeling “full” in the lower abdomen; frequent urination (resulting from a fibroid pressing on the bladder); pain during intercourse; and lower back pain.

The ExAblate system was the 2004 Grand Prize Winner of the European Union’s IST award for innovation and potential to benefit mankind, and was recognized by The Wall Street Journal’s 2004 Technology Innovation Awards, and Advanced Imaging’s 2005 Solutions of the Year. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) highlighted the ExAblate 2000 system as one of the 14 medically significant products it approved during fiscal 2005.

For more information about MRI & Imaging of Georgia, the first in Georgia to offer this procedure to patients suffering from fibroids, please call 1-877-674-6342 or visit www.MRIofGA.com. Not every patient is qualified for this treatment; women interested in the procedure must seek the advice of their physician.

MRI & Imaging of Georgia has more than 20 facilities throughout Georgia that offer a variety of services including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), Ultrasound, X-ray and Dexa (Bone Density). We provide the best possible patient experience by offering patients comfort and quality in a friendly setting. All of our radiologists are Board Certified, and we are a preferred provider with extensive managed care contracts. For more information, please visit www.MRIofGA.com.

MRI & Imaging of Georgia is owned by MedQuest, Inc., a leading operator of independent outpatient diagnostic imaging facilities with a network of more than 90 imaging centers in 13 states. Since 1993, MedQuest has provided patients with the most advanced diagnostic services available to identify and diagnose a broad range of medical conditions. Our expertly-trained staff is committed to treating each patient with the best quality care possible. For more information, please visit www.mqimaging.com.