Uterine curettage or surgical trauma can cause uterine vascular abnormalities, including pseudoaneurysms, acquired arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), arteriovenous fistulas, and rupture of vessels. Recognition of these abnormalities as the cause of hemorrhage is important, since these abnormalities can be treated safely and effectively with transcatheter arterial embolization but may be worsened by uterine curettage, precipitating massive uterine bleeding. Ultrasonography (US) is the most commonly performed initial imaging examination for evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding. Color and duplex Doppler US allows convincing detection and diagnosis of these vascular abnormalities and helps differentiate vascular abnormalities that require embolization from nonvascular abnormalities. In cases of pseudoaneurysms, color and duplex Doppler US shows a blood-filled cystic structure with swirling arterial flow. In cases of AVMs, color Doppler US shows an intense vascular tangle, whereas duplex Doppler US shows low-resistance, high-velocity arterial flow. Cases of an AVM combined with a pseudoaneurysm demonstrate the findings of both AVMs and pseudoaneurysms. Transcatheter arterial embolization after angiography is the therapy of choice for these vascular abnormalities, with the advantage of retained reproductive capacity. Routine use of color and duplex Doppler US during examination of abnormal uterine bleeding is recommended to identify and characterize the vascular abnormality.

The purpose of this study was to suggest that computed tomography angiography (CTA) is valuable as the only preliminary examination for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). MT after single examination of CTA including noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) and maximum intensity projection (MIP) improves door-to-puncture time as well as results in favorable outcomes. Methods : A total of 157 patients who underwent MT at Dong Kang Medical Center from April 2015 to March 2019 were divided into two groups based on the examination performed prior to MT : CTA group who underwent CTA with NCCT and MIP, and NCCT+magnetic resonance image (MRi) group who underwent MRI including perfusion images after NCCT. In the two groups, time to CTA imaging or NCCT+MRi imaging after symptom onset, and time to arterial puncture and reperfusion were characterized as time-related outcomes. The evaluation of vascular recanalization after MT was defined as a modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) scale. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was assessed at the time of the visit to the emergency room and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was assessed after 90 days. Results : Typically, there were 34 patients in the CTA group and 33 patients in the NCCT+MRi group. A significantly shorter delay for door-to-puncture time was observed (mean, 86±22.1 vs. 176±47.5 minutes; <0.01). Also, a significantly shorter door-to-imege time in the CTA group was observed (mean, 13±6.8 vs. 93±30.8 minutes; p<0.01). Moreover, a significantly shorter onset-to-puncture time was observed (mean, 195±128.0 vs. 314±157.6 minutes; p<0.01). Reperfusion result of mTICI ≥2b was 100% (34/34) in the CTA group and 94% (31/33) in the NCCT+MRi group, and mTICI 3 in 74% (25/34) in the CTA group and 73% (24/33) in the NCCT+MRi group. Favorable functional outcomes (mRS score ≤2 at 90 days) were 68% (23/34) in the CTA group and 60% (20/33) in the NCCT+MRi group. Conclusion : A single-phase CTA including NCCT and MIP images was performed as a single preliminary examination, which led to a reduction in the time of the procedure and resulted in good results of prognosis. Consequently, it is concluded that this method is of sufficient value as the only preliminary examination for decision making.

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