Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
What are Fibroids?
Fibroids, also known as uterine fibroids or leiomyomas, are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that grow within the muscle tissue of the uterus. They can be of varying size, from being as small as a quarter to, in some extreme cases, the size of a small melon. In rare cases, fibroids can even simulate the size of a full pregnancy. The good news is, fibroids are a very treatable condition.
Am I at Risk?
Since uterine fibroids are the most common tumors within the female reproductive system, all women are at potential risk for developing them. The majority of uterine fibroids are diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 54. However, fibroids can occur in women younger than 35, and occasionally they can remain symptomatic in post menopausal women.
What are my treatment options?
Numerous treatment options exist for fibroids. These range from conservative to invasive. At Fairfax Vascular Center, we feel that our patients should be informed of all treatment options. Understanding what is available, the risks and benefits will enable you to make the correct choice for your own symptoms and lifestyle.
Interested in talking to one of our physicians about UFE?
We'll walk you through the procedure and answer any questions you may have.
Am I a candidate for UFE?
Some patients are unsure if UFE is the right procedure choice. Consider the following questions below to help determine if this might be the right procedure for your health goals:
If you checked THREE or more boxes, then uterine fibriod embolization may be the right treatment option for you. Contact us today to learn more about how UFE fits into your health journey.
Why should I choose UFE and how effective is it?
Not infrequently, patients are seen in consultation for UFE after having suffered a prolonged period of time because they were told they had no options, or provided a misconceived summary of uterine fibroid embolization. Your interventional radiologist is the most knowledgeable person to ask regarding the procedure, its details, and its outcomes.
- UFE is the ONLY non-surgical option treating all fibroids in one session with outcomes of patient satisfaction matching those of hysterectomy -- 90% of women were satisfied with their quality of life on follow up.
- Greater than 90% reduction in symptoms of pelvic pain, pressure, urinary urgency symptoms (bulk symptoms).
- Greater than 90% reduction in symptoms of abnormal bleeding.
- Significant improvement in quality of life, quality of intimacy and severity of symptoms.
- Preservation of the uterus, without scars.
- Outpatient procedure with minimal blood loss and overall less major complications and length of hospital stay compared with hysterectomy.
Watch the video below to learn about UFE treatment
Why Choose Fairfax Vascular Center?
Over 100 years of combined clinical experience.
We are one of the largest, longest standing interventional radiology practices with over 100 years of combined clinical experience. We have been performing uterine fibroid embolization and specializing in its care since the introduction of the procedure.
Specialize in uterine fibroid embolization.
We offer multiple approaches to performing the procedure both from the radial artery (wrist) and femoral artery (groin), as well as advanced pain control techniques such as a superior hypogastric nerve block.
Dedicated to helping you through your treatment journey.
Our physicians are available 24/7 to ensure you are well taken care of from the time of consultation through your treatment and follow up. Additionally, a dedicated navigator will help you throughout your fibroid treatment journey.
State of the art imaging with subspecialty trained physicians.
We are part of Fairfax Radiological Consultants, the largest and oldest diagnostic radiology group in Northern Virginia, allowing us to provide our patients with the best imaging technologies and the most experienced diagnostic radiologists with subspecialty training in women’s imaging.
Team approach to care.
We strongly believe in a multidisciplinary team approach to patient care and it is due to the involvement of our diagnostic radiologists as well as referring obstetricians and gynecologists that we are able to provide excellent care and results.
Learn more about Fibroids and your treatment options
Common Questions
Meet Our Physicians

Paul Reha Butros, M.D.
Baskent University School of Medicine
Completed 2005
Detroit Medical Center - Wayne State University
Completed 2012
Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School
Completed 2014
Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute
Completed 2015
American Board of Radiology - Diplomate
2012
American College of Radiology
American Medical Association
American Roentgen Ray Society
Medical Society of Virginia
Radiology Society of North America
Society of Interventional Radiology

Alain T. Drooz, M.D.
University of North Carolina
New York University Medical Center
Completed 1988
New York University Medical Center
Body Imaging
Completed 1989
New York University Medical Center
Interventional Radiology
Completed 1990
American Board of Radiology
1989
American College of Radiology
Radiological Society of North America
Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology
Society of Vascular Medicine and Biology - Fellow
Fairfax County Medical Society
Top Doctor
Washingtonian Magazine
Northern Virginia Magazine

Allen E. Joseph, M.D.
Boston University School of Medicine
Completed 1984
Northwestern University Hospitals
Diagnostic Radiology
Completed 1989
Northwestern University Hospitals
Angiography, Visceral Imaging and Interventional Radiology
Completed 1990
American Board of Radiology, 1989
Vascular and Interventional Radiology, 1998
American Roentgen Ray Society
Radiological Society of North America
American College of Radiology
Society of Cardiovascular and
Interventional Radiology
American Medical Association
Fairfax County Medical Society
Chesapeake Interventional Radiology
Society
Top Doctor
Washingtonian Magazine

Michael G. Karnaze, M.D.
University of Kansas School of Medicine
Completed 1982
Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology
Completed 1987
Alexandria Hospital
Interventional Radiology
Completed 1988
American Board of Radiology
Diagnostic Radiology 1987
Interventional Radiology 1995
Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology
Chesapeake Interventional Radiology Society (President 1996)
American Heart Association
American College of Radiology
Radiology Society of North America
American Roentgen Ray Society
Top Doctor
Washingtonian Magazine
Northern Virginia Magazine

Hong Lim, M.D.
University of Medicine & Dentistry
Completed 2001
University of Medicine & Dentistry
Completed 2006
Baptist Cardiac and Vascular Institute
Completed 2008
American Board of Radiology
2006
Radiological Society of North America
American College of Radiology
Society of Interventional Radiology

Salman S. Mufti, M.D.
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Completed 1994
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Completed 2003
Brown University
Vascular and Interventional Radiology
Completed 2004
American College of Radiology
2003
American College of Radiology
Society for Interventional Radiology
Top Doctor
Washingtonian Magazine

David J. Spinosa, M.D.
Tufts University School of Medicine
Completed 1984
Georgetown University Hospital
Radiology
Completed 1992
New England Deaconess Hospital
Surgery
Completed 1987
University of Virginia
Angiography and Interventional Radiology
Completed 1993
American Board of Radiology
Radiology - 1992
Angiography and Interventional Radiology - 1995
Society of Interventional Radiologists
American College of Radiology
Top Doctor
Washingtonian Magazine
Northern Virginia Magazine

Mustafa M. Syed, D.O.
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
Completed 2011
Mount Sinai West Hospital Center
Completed 2016
Mount Sinai Hospital, Vascular and Interventional Radiology
Completed 2017
American Board of Radiology, 2017
Radiological Society of North America
American College of Radiology
American Board of Radiology
Society of Interventional Radiology

Jay D. Varma, M.D.
University of Maryland
Completed 1996
Boston University Medical Center
Completed 2001
Harvard Medical School
Completed 2002
American Board of Radiology
Radiology - 2001
Interventional Radiology - 2003
Cardiovascular and Interventional Society of Europe
Chesapeake Interventional Radiology Society
Medical Society of the District of Columbia
Society of Interventional Radiology
American Roentgen Ray Society
Radiological Society of North America
Top Doctor
Washingtonian Magazine
Northern Virginia Magazine
Available at the following location

Fairfax Vascular Center
8505 Arlington Boulevard
Suite 400
Fairfax, VA 22031
United States