Abdominal Wall Hernias Following High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy: Three Case Reports

TL;DR

This paper reports three rare cases of abdominal wall hernias following high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy for uterine conditions.

Contribution

The novelty lies in highlighting abdominal wall hernias as a previously underreported complication of HIFU therapy.

Findings

Three cases of abdominal wall hernias occurred after HIFU therapy for uterine adenomyosis or fibroids.

Diagnosis was delayed due to vague symptoms and lack of clinical suspicion.

Abdominal wall hernia should be considered as a possible complication following HIFU therapy.

Abstract

Although many studies reported the safety and efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy, there are still worries about internal organ injury. However, reports of abdominal wall hernias after HIFU therapy are rare.

We present three cases of abdominal wall hernias without skin injury after HIFU therapy in uterine adenomyosis or fibroids. The diagnosis was often delayed because of vague symptoms, inadequate clinical suspicion, and delayed proper image studies.

Abdominal wall hernia should be recognized as a possible complication after HIFU and be suspected when the patient presents with unordinary abdominal swelling and/or pain that lasts for more than a few months after the procedure.

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