[Embolization of insufficient pelvic veins for pelvic congestion syndrome. Analysis of 17 cases].

Background: Pelvic venous insufficiency may cause pelvic congestion syndrome that is characterized by chronic pelvic pain exacerbated by prolonged standing, sexual activity or menstrual cycle. It may be treated by embolizing the dysfunctional pelvic venous drainage and sometimes resecting vulvar, perineal and thigh varices.

Aim: To assess the results of embolization of insufficient pelvic or ovarian veins on pelvic congestion syndrome.

Material And Methods: Analysis of 17 female patients aged 32 to 53 years, who underwent subjected to a selective coil embolization of insufficient pelvic and/or ovarian veins through the jugular, basilic or cephalic veins. In the preoperative period, all patients had a lower extremity venous duplex pelvic ultrasound examination and some had an abdominal and pelvic CT angiogram.

Results: The technical success of the procedure was 100% and no complications were registered. During a 32 month follow up, no patient had symptoms of pelvic venous insufficiency or relapse of vulvar or thigh varices.

Conclusions: Embolization of insufficient pelvic and ovarian veins is a safe and successful procedure for the treatment of pelvic venous insufficiency or vulvar varices.