American Access Care

Female Health : Fibroids

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Dr. James Urso
American Access Care
2235 Staples Mill Road
Suite 104
Richmond, VA 23230

Biography for Dr. Urso, MD
Dr. Urso was raised in Pittsburgh, PA and attended college at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA. He then attended medical school at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV/VCU).

Dr. Urso completed residency training in Radiology in Pittsburgh at St. Francis Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in Interventional Radiology at Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago. While in residency and fellowship, Dr. Urso was very active in the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the American Medical Association (AMA), and served as President of ACR Resident Physician Section, and also served on multiple committees.

Dr. Urso has extensive training and experience in performing Interventional procedures, and he offers Richmond area patients the highest level of care.

In 2004, Dr. Urso received the distinguished AMA Foundation Leadership Award for his efforts in promoting the needs of young physicians.

10 Frequently Asked Fibroid Questions:

1. How do I know if I have uterine fibroids?

Many uterine fibroids do not cause symptoms, and may only be discovered when you have a routine pelvic examination. However, many women who have uterine fibroids report painful and life-altering symptoms.

2. What are the symptoms of uterine fibroids?

As they grow into the walls of the uterus, uterine fibroids can cause some of the following symptoms:
* Heavy menstrual bleeding due to low red blood cell count
* Tiredness or fatigue due to low red blood cell count
* Pain or pressure in the hips, or in the back of the legs
* Pain during sexual intercourse
* Frequent need to urinate
* Constipation or bloating
* An enlarged abdomen

3. What options are available for fibroids? There are several options available to treat fibroids. Some physicians advocate medications or hormone therapy, while others recommend invasive procedures. These include minimally invasive procedures, such as uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), and extend to surgical options, such as a hysterectomy (complete removal of the uterus) or myomectomy (surgical removal of fibroids).

4. What should I consider when seeking treatment of my fibroids?
Factors to consider when choosing a treatment include: desire for fertility, desire to retain your uterus/ovaries, procedure recovery time, symptom recurrence rate, the need for post-procedure hormone replacement therapy, the risk of early menopause, effects of the procedure on your body, and cost.

5. What is the UFE procedure, and what are its advantages?
Our physician performs uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) procedures as a minimally invasive, same-day intervention designed to obstruct the blood supply to the fibroid(s), in a comfortable outpatient setting. This allows you to return home the evening following the procedure, and recovery time is within a matter of days. The reported success rate in reducing fibroid symptoms through UFE is 92%, and the procedure does not necessitate hormone replacement therapy, or precipitate early menopause—since the uterus and ovaries are preserved. Further, the cost advantages in an outpatient setting are substantial, and will certainly be significant if your insurance requires partial payment of overall costs.

6. What about fertility and pregnancies?

While pregnancies following the UFE procedure have been documented, there is no data demonstrating that UFE, like many other procedures, should be performed when pregnancy/fertility is a goal.

7. What are some of the features of the procedure and recovery process?

The procedure involves placement of a catheter in your vein, x-ray imaging to position the tip of a catheter at the source of the fibroid’s blood supply, and delivery of tiny FDA-approved particles that block the blood supply to the fibroid. This procedure is performed using minimal sedation, and post-procedure discomfort is managed with appropriate medications. Patients are briefly evaluated shortly after the procedure, and then a few months afterward, the success of the procedure is confirmed by a radiology study.

8. What kind of doctor performs this procedure?

Our outpatient procedures are performed by James A. Urso, M.D., a board-certified, fellowship-trained Interventional Radiologist. Dr. Urso treats patients using minimally invasive techniques and x-ray imaging to access the body using catheters and other tiny instruments that can be placed in a blood vessel. Dr. Urso attended college at Washington & Lee University , medical school at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV/VCU), residency at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh , and fellowship at Rush-Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago .

9. Will my insurance pay, and what kind of referral would I need?

Most all health insurance plans, including Medicare, reimburse for the UFE procedure. Some insurance plans (such as HMO’s) may require a referral from a Primary Care Physician, so we encourage you to call our offices to coordinate the necessary paperwork and/or testing with our staff. We will complete insurance paperwork and arrange for any additional information to be conveyed to our offices prior to your procedure.

10. How can I determine if the UFE procedure will work for me?

We welcome you to call or visit our offices and schedule a brief consultation with our doctor. We will review your symptoms and medical history, answer your questions, and help you decide which of your alternatives is best for you.