A Modern Radiologic Treatment for Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Associated with Chronic Pelvic Pain and Menstrual Abnormalities

Abstract

dysfunctional venous valves, retrograde blood flow, and progressive venous dilation in susceptible females (3). The true prevalence of PCS is unclear as it is a frequently overlooked diagnosis (4). However, it is a syndrome that cannot be diagnosed by imaging alone as many women will have pelvic vein varicosities without the accompanying pelvic pain to create the syndrome (5, 6). From case series reports, it is believed that women with PCS are typically multiparous and still in their child-bearing years. It is well known that ovarian veins increase in size after pregnancy, which suggests that PCS may be unusual in nulliparous women. Other risk factors include hormonal fluxes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and the presence of varicose veins in the vulva, buttocks, thighs, or legs. Soysal et al (7), after an extensive work-up of symptomatic women, found that 31% of patients with chronic pelvic pain had PCS as the sole cause of their pain. Symptoms of PCS include a dull ache or pain typically in the pelvis or less commonly in the back, dyspareunia, irritable bladder, dysmenorrhea, vaginal discharge, and sometimes gastrointestinal

Incidental Gonadal Vein Thrombosis Diagnosed Using Computed Tomography Imaging: A Single-Center, Retrospective, Cohort Study

“…Extension of the thrombus to the renal vein and/or inferior vena cava is treated similar to pulmonary embolism [ 20 ]. Surgical management is reserved for patients with contraindications to anticoagulants and for those who develop pulmonary emboli despite conservative therapeutic management [ 21 - 22 ]. In our study, 72% of patients were successfully treated with anticoagulants.…”