scholarly journals Female pelvic congestion syndrome: how can CT and MRI help in the management decision?

2020 ◽  
pp. 20200881
Author(s):  
Ahmed M. Osman ◽  
Ahmed Mordi ◽  
Rasha Khattab

Objective: Diagnosis of female pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is challenging. Although invasive venography is the gold-standard for diagnosis, however, CT and MRI are important in the assessment. In this study, we tried to highlight the role of CT and MRI as non-invasive tools in the diagnosis and management of PCS. Methods and material: This was a retrospective study of 50 patients confirmed clinically to have PCS. These patients had already done CT and MRI before venography or surgery. Results: The mean age of the patients was 48 years ± 12 years SD. Vaginal discharge and pelvic heaviness were the commonest symptoms (46 and 42% respectively). The commonest risk factor was multiparity (56%) followed by the RVF uterus (26%). No significant difference was found between CT, MRI, and venography as regarding the diameter of the ovarian vein, diameter, and the number of the varicose veins. The sensitivity of CT and MRI was 94.8 and 96%. CT and MRI discovered five cases with local pelvic obstructing cause,14 cases with evidence of vascular compression syndrome, and the rest 31 cases diagnosed to have primary non-obstructing PCS which was effective in decision-making with the surgery indicated in the first group while stenting of the vascular obstruction followed by bilateral ovarian veins coiling was the better option for the second group and only bilateral coiling was needed for the last group. Conclusion: CT and MRI play important roles in the diagnosis and even management decision in cases of PCS. Advances in knowledge: : Identification of the importance of diagnostic radiology before management decisions of cases with PCS.

VASA ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Jeanneret ◽  
Konstantin Beier ◽  
Alexander von Weymarn ◽  
Jürg Traber

Abstract. Knowledge of the anatomy of the pelvic, gonadal and renal veins is important to understand pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) and left renal vein compression syndrome (LRCS), which is also known as the nutcracker syndrome. LRCS is related to PCS and to the presence of vulvar, vaginal and pudendal varicose veins. The diagnosis of the two syndromes is difficult, and usually achieved with CT- or phlebography. The gold standard is the intravenous pressure measurement using conventional phlebography. The definition of PCS is described as pelvic pain, aggravated in the standing position and lasting for more than 6 months. Pain in the left flank and microhaematuria is seen in patients with LRCS. Women with multiple pregnancies are at increased risk of developing varicose vein recurrences with pelvic drainage and ovarian vein reflux after crossectomy and stripping of the great saphenous vein. The therapeutic options are: conservative treatment (medroxyprogesteron) or interventional (coiling of the ovarian vein) or operative treatment (clipping of the ovarian vein). Controlled prospective trials are needed to find the best treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Larysa Chernukha ◽  
Alla Guch ◽  
Vadym Kondratyuk ◽  
Olenka Vlasenko ◽  
Alla Bobrova

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Paraskevas

Pelvic varicose veins secondary to ovarian vein reflux are common and can present with clinical pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). After assessment with duplex ultrasound and venography, treatment often involves surgical ovarian vein ligation and more recently embolization of the ovarian vein(s) followed by ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) of the pelvic tributaries. This paper presents one out of many PCS patients treated with UGFS of the pelvic tributaries alone, with clinically symptomatic improvement.


2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 74-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Coleridge Smith

Pelvic congestion syndrome is one of many causes of chronic pelvic pain. It is generally accepted that this is attributable to ovarian and pelvic vein incompetence which may result in varices in the lower limb leading to presentation in varicose vein clinics. However, far more patients have pelvic varices associated with varicose veins in the lower limb than have pelvic congestion syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic venography are usually used in the diagnosis of this condition and criteria have been established to identify pelvic varices. Many different treatments have been used to manage the symptoms of pelvic congestion. Hysterectomy combined with oophrectomy open surgical ligation of ovarian veins and laparoscopic vein ligation have been used in the past. The most common treatments used currently involve embolization of pelvic and ovarian veins. The results of this treatment have been published in a limited number of clinical series, usually with fairly short follow-up periods. These treatments may be complicated by migration of embolization of coils used to occlude veins. The longest duration of follow-up currently reported is five years. Limited clinical evidence supports the use of embolotherapy in the management of pelvic congestion syndrome.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 030006052095469
Author(s):  
Jwo-Huey Yu ◽  
Hung-Hsiang Fang ◽  
Shih-Yao Liu ◽  
Wei-Chou Chang ◽  
Chiung-Chen Liu ◽  
...  

Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) typically causes chronic non-cyclical abdominal pain with a considerable negative effect on the quality of life of women. However, pediatric cases with PCS are limited and non-invasive therapy for adolescent patients has not been reported. We report here a 13-year-old girl who presented with intermittent abdominal pain since the age of 2 years and her symptoms further deteriorated after breast development at 6 years and 9 months old. PCS and coexistent idiopathic central precocious puberty were finally diagnosed on the basis of tortuous ovarian and pelvic veins, and a pubertal response to a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) test without hypothalamic–pituitary lesions. After treatment with the GnRH agonist, the pain score was greatly reduced and there was increased prediction of adult height. This case highlights the occurrence of PCS in adolescents and also indicates the role of non-invasive GnRH agonists in young patients with PCS before surgical intervention.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Delfrate ◽  
Massimo Bricchi ◽  
Claude Franceschi

Pelvic leak points (PLP) may be responsible for vulvar, perineal and lower limb varicose veins, in women during and/or after pregnancy. The accurate anatomical and hemodynamic assessment of these points, the perineal (PP), inguinal (IP) and clitoral points (CP) and their surgical treatment under local anesthetics as defined by Claude Franceschi is a new therapeutic option. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and durability of the PLP reflux ablation using a minimally-invasive surgical disconnection at the PLP level in women with varicose veins of the lower limbs fed by the PLP. In this open-label trial 273 pelvic leak points free of pelvic congestion syndrome, with at least a 12-month follow- up, were assessed. 273 PLP treated: PP (n=177), IP (n =91) and CP (n=5). Followup: Period =12 to 92 months (mean =30.51 months). Age from 29 to 77 years (mean=45). The only 3 patients over 70 years (71, 74, 77) showed a high-speed reflux from a I point that fed symptomatic varicose veins of the lower limb. Exclusion criteria: pelvic congestion syndrome, BMI>24, venous malformations, a post thrombotic varicose vein. Diagnosis was performed using echo duplex and PLPs selected for treatment when refluxing at Valsalva + Paraná + squeezing maneuvers. A surgical skin marking of the PLP had been performed using echo duplex before surgery. Surgery consisted of minimally invasive dissection and selective division and ligation with non-absorbable suture of the refluxing veins and fascias at the PP, IP and CP pelvic escape points, under local anesthesia in a single center. The follow-up consisted of an echo duplex ultrasound, searching for reflux at the PLP treated thanks to the Valsalva maneuver, within 2 weeks, after 6 and 12 months and then yearly. The main endpoint of the study was the immediate elimination of the reflux at the PLP treated. The second endpoint was the long-term durability of the reflux ablation at the PLP treated. 267 (97.8%) without PLP reflux redo. 6 (2.2%) PLP reflux recurrences (PP=4, IP=1, CP 1). 3 patients with PLP reflux recurrence undergo a redo surgery (1.1%) where PP=2 (0.7%) and IP=1 (0.3%). This study shows the feasibility and durability of reflux ablation at the PLP level thanks to a minimally-invasive surgical treatment of the PLP and it demonstrates that there is no need for pelvic varicose embolization in patients without clinical signs of pelvic congestion syndrome. The accurate ultrasound assessment of each specific pelvic leak as well as a special surgical technique (vein division, non-absorbable suture of veins and fascias) seems to be the key for satisfactory outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 113-115
Author(s):  
Michelle Walsh ◽  
Mary Ahern ◽  
Nazha Zahiri ◽  
Angela David ◽  
Shannon Lyons ◽  
...  

Pelvic congestion syndrome is a chronic condition involving varicose veins in the pelvic area, resulting in dull aching pain, pelvic heaviness, palpable varicosities, and dyspareunia. The primary diagnostic modalities, computed tomography (CT) angiography and magnetic resonance (MR) angiography, can be time-consuming, expensive, and carry the risks of diagnostic radiation (CT) and intravenous contrast (CT and MR), and may not offer dynamic vascular information (CT). Recently, an increased role for ultrasound has been proposed in the diagnosis of pelvic congestion; however, the role of transvaginal (TV) duplex ultrasound has not been thoroughly investigated. Our study aims to evaluate the utility of a TV approach in the evaluation of valvular incompetence time (VIT) in seconds of the internal iliac and adnexal veins. A waiver of consent was granted by our Institutional Review Board for this retrospective review. A cohort of 36 women undergoing ultrasound evaluation for pelvic congestion syndrome was analyzed. Transvaginal and transabdominal (TA) images were obtained with reverse Trendelenburg positioning for imaging of the internal iliac veins with Valsalva maneuver to evaluate VIT, at the same visit, and the yield of each approach was compared for the presence of VIT. The number of vessels visualized, VIT, diagnostic success, and number of abnormal vessels were recorded. Between September 2018 and February 2019, 36 women underwent both TA and TV imaging. A total of 72 (100%) internal iliac veins were visualized by TV, but only 15 (21%) by TA. Of the 72 internal iliac veins imaged, 12 (17%) were shown to have valvular incompetence by TV exam, whereas only 2 (3%) were identified by TA, both of which were identified TV. Transabdominal images, when limited, were usually due to bowel gas. Transvaginal images had a higher yield for detection of internal iliac vein VIT, suggesting that the TV approach may be more sensitive and potentially more accurate versus a TA-only protocol.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-460
Author(s):  
N. Yu. Novikova ◽  
V. I. Tsibizova ◽  
P. D. Puzdriak ◽  
E. V. Komlichenko ◽  
I. G. Tsnobiladze ◽  
...  

Altered pelvic venous circulation, which may occur due to pelvic venous congestion and varicose veins of the vulva, may be among the causes for developing chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is characterized by chronic discomfort in the pelvic area, which may be aggravated during coitus or acquire orthostatic position, and result in severe dysfunction of the pelvic organs. Varicose veins of the vulva develop due to obstruction of the veins, increased venous pressure, and venous insufficiency in the pelvis. Varicose veins may be isolated or associated with varicose veins of the lower extremities. The diagnosis and treatment of such patients are limited by the lack of definitive clinical criteria for early diagnostics, which were discussed in the current study.


2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 100-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
A D Liddle ◽  
A H Davies

Chronic pelvic pain is a common and disabling condition affecting women of childbearing age. A specific diagnosis for the condition is often difficult, and referred pain from the abdominal viscera, neurogenic and psychogenic factors have all been implicated, as have pelvic conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and ovarian cysts; no diagnosis is made in 60% of patients. Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS), the presence of varices of the pelvic veins, has been shown to be the underlying aetiology in a significant proportion of patients with chronic pelvic pain; the development of these varices is caused by a combination of endocrine and mechanical factors. Given the positional nature of these varices, they are rarely diagnosed with conventional methods such as B-mode ultrasound and diagnostic laparoscopy. Diagnosis is best made with selective ovarian venography, although newer, non-invasive methods such as magnetic resonance imaging and duplex ultrasound are increasingly gaining favour. Pelvic varices are eminently treatable, either using ovarian suppression or by the ligation or embolization of the pelvic veins.


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