Evaluation of the efficacy of endovascular treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome

Efficacy of embolotherapy for the treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome: A systematic review

Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) poses a significant health, diagnostic, and economic challenges. Transcatheter embolisation has emerged as a promising treatment for PCS. A systematic review was performed in order to assess the safety and efficacy of transcatheter embolisation in the treatment of PCS. A systematic search of electronic databases was performed using 'PubMed', 'Embase', 'Medline (OVID)', and 'Web of Science', for articles pertaining to efficacy of embolotherapy for the treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome. A total of 25 studies were included in this systematic review with a combined total of 2038 patients. All patients included were female with a mean average age of 37.65 (31-51). Of the 25 studies, 18/25 studies reported pre- and post-procedural pelvic pain outcomes using a visual analogue scale (VAS). All studies showed a reduction in VAS post-procedure. Transcatheter embolisation had a high technical success rate (94%) and an overall complication rate of 9.0%, of which 10.4% were major and 89.6% were minor. Fifteen out of 19 (78.9%) major complications required a subsequent intervention. Transcatheter embolisation using various techniques is effective and safe in treating PCS. A low quality of evidence limits the currently available literature; however, embolisation has shown to improve symptoms in the majority of patients with low complication rates and recurrence rates.

Identification of outcomes in clinical studies for pelvic venous disorders

OBJECTIVE

There is increasing recognition that health systems need to measure and improve the value of patient care by measuring outcomes. Chronic pelvic pain secondary to pelvic venous insufficiency can have a significant impact on the quality of life (QOL) of women affected. Despite growing recognition, pelvic venous disorders (PeVDs), an important cause of chronic pelvic pain, remain underdiagnosed. Developing a core outcome set (COS) for benchmarking care delivery enhances the standardization of care. However, there is no consensus regarding a standardized minimum set of outcomes for PeVD. We aimed to generate a list of outcomes reported in previous PeVD treatment studies to lay the foundation for developing a COS for PeVD.

METHODS

This scoping review was undertaken according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Initially, screening, full-text review and extraction was conducted on studies published between 2018 and 2023. Subsequently, the search was expanded using 1-year intervals, until, over a 1-year interval, no new outcomes were recorded. Closely related outcomes were classified into domains, and domains into three core areas: disease-specific, treatment-related, and QOL-related outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the 1579 records identified, 51 publications were included. From these studies, 108 different outcomes were identified. The median number of outcomes per study was 8 (interquartile range, 6-13). Closely related outcomes were organized into 42 outcome domains, which were then categorized into 3 core outcome areas; 47.6% (20/42) were disease specific, 35.7% (15/42) treatment related, and 16.7% (7/42) were QOL related. Of the 51 included studies, disease-specific outcomes were identified in 96.1% of the studies (49/51), treatment-related outcomes in 94.1% (48/51), and QOL outcomes in only 13.7% (7/51).

CONCLUSIONS

There was significant heterogeneity in outcomes reported in PeVD studies. Most PeVD treatment studies evaluated disease-specific and treatment-related outcomes of PeVD, but few reported outcomes that measured the impact on QOL. These findings will inform the next steps in developing a COS for PeVD.

Foam Sclerotherapy in Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a prevalent condition in middle-aged women that represents a heavy social impact on the quality of life of those females. Treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome is a complex and controversial issue, but treatment can be one of 3 lines: medical therapy, endovascular treatment, and surgical intervention. The endovascular line was first introduced in 1993 and has been popular over other lines of treatment methods. This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary university hospital over 24 months, from March 2019 to March 2021. Forty patients with PGS were managed by left ovarian vein TCFS. The Institutional Review Board waived the need for ethics approval or informed consent to use anonymized and retrospectively analyzed data. The mean age of enrolled women was 33.80 ± 6.54 years, ranging between 20 and 45 years. Trans-catheter ethanolamine foam embolization is an effective and safe method to treat pelvic and atypical lower limb varices.

Proximal coil occlusion preceding distal sclerotherapy in patients with pelvic congestion syndrome: A multicenter, retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the efficacy, feasibility, and safety of proximal coil occlusion preceding distal sclerotherapy (PCODS) for patients with pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS).

METHODS

We performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 94 patients with PCS who had undergone PCODS and 53 patients who had undergone standard endovascular embolization (control group) between June 2014 and April 2020. The primary end point was the clinical remission rate and the secondary end points were the operative time, total fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, overall length of coils used per case, and adverse events. The patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.

RESULTS

PCODS was successfully performed in 94 patients (100%). The clinical remission rates were significantly higher in the PCODS group than in the control group at 1, 6, and 12 months (P = .036, P = .032, and P = .032). The operative time and total fluoroscopy time were shorter for the PCODS group than for the control group (48.3 ± 5.2 minutes and 37.7 ± 4.4 minutes vs 53.9 ± 4.8 minutes and 42.6 ± 4.1 minutes, respectively; P < .001 for both). The radiation dose was significantly lower in the PCODS group than in the control group (362,634.69 ± 41,533.13 mGy·cm² vs 421,578.30 ± 49,517.93 mGy·cm²; P < .001). The overall length of coils used per case was 19.8 ± 6.0 cm in the PCODS group and 31.7 ± 8.5 cm in the control group (P < .001). Migration of n-butyl cyanoacrylate to the renal vein occurred in two patients in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

We found PCODS was feasible with a higher clinical remission rate and mild adverse effects in patients with PCS.

A novel management strategy for treatment of pelvic venous disorders utilizing a clinical screening score and non-invasive imaging

Summary: Background: Treatment of pelvic venous disorders (PVD) including pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) are often delayed due to its varying clinical manifestations. Patients and methods: Patient referral was based on a literature- and personal experience-derived clinical “PCS screening score” (higher score points indicate greater likelihood with a maximum score of 10 points). We studied consecutive women who were (i) referred for vascular assessment and treatment to the University Hospital Zurich (2017–2021), (ii) had a PCS score ≥3 points, (iii) had evidence of obstructive or non-obstructive PVD by duplex sonography or cross-sectional imaging, and (iv) underwent endovascular therapy. The primary outcome was change in symptom severity after endovascular therapy: (i) freedom from symptoms, (ii) improvement with residual symptoms, (iii) no improvement. Results: We included 43 women (mean age 36 years): 81% had previous pregnancy, 19% endometriosis. The median PCS score was 7 (IQR 5–9) points. Chronic lower-abdominal pain was the leading symptom in 86% patients, followed by recurrent leg (9%) and vulvar (5%) varicosities. The main PVD pathologies were ovarian vein insufficiency (61%), internal iliac vein insufficiency (9%), or a combination of both (30%), whereas 42% had a deep venous obstruction of the inferior vena cava, common iliac or left renal veins. Endovascular therapy included ovarian vein embolization (86%), internal iliac vein embolization (9%), and venous stent placement (35%). After a median of 4 (IQR 1–8) months from endovascular treatment, 40 (93%) patients reported improvement of the leading symptom, and 14 (33%) were symptom-free. Complications included re-intervention for stent stenosis (13%, all post-thrombotic), coil-migration into the left renal vein (7%, all retrieved), and transient pelvic sclerotherapy-induced thrombophlebitis (2%). Conclusions: Endovascular therapy following a diagnostic approach, which included a PCS screening tool and non-invasive imaging, appeared to be highly effective and was associated with a low rate of complications.

Embolization in pelvic venous disorders using ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx®) and Aetoxysclerol: a prospective evaluation of safety and long-term efficacy

OBJECTIVES

To prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of embolization using ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx^®) and Aetoxysclerol for treatment of pelvic venous disorders (PeVD).

METHODS

This prospective study was approved by the institutional ethics review board. Ten clinical parameters were retained for evaluation of PeVD (pelvic pain, dyspareunia, post-coital pain, menstruation pain, lower limbs pain, difficulty walking, aesthetic discomfort, impact on daily working life, psychological impact and impact on daily life), measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) between 0 and 10, and a global score out of 100 was noted before embolization, after 3 months during the imaging follow-up, and at the end of follow-up by phone call. The main criterion was clinical efficacy of embolization defined by an impairment score < 40/100 and a 50% decrease in overall score. Complications were recorded. Visualization of Onyx^® on MRI 3 months after embolization was noted.

RESULTS

Between July 2017 and May 2019, 73 consecutive women (mean age ± SD [range]: 41 ± 11 years [25-77]) treated by embolization with Onyx^® and Aetoxysclerol were included. The median follow-up was 28 months [Q1-Q3: 24.0-29.2] (range: 18.1-34.5). The median initial VAS impairment score was 39/100 [29.75-48.50] (12-58). Clinical efficacy was obtained for 70 patients (70/73, 95.9%), and the median VAS impairment score at the end of follow-up was significantly lower at 3 [0.00-7.25] (0-73) (p < 0.0001). Four minor complications occurred. Onyx^® was visualized on DIXON sequence of MRI for all patients.

CONCLUSION

Embolization using Onyx^® and Aetoxysclerol for PeVD is safe and effective.

KEY POINTS

• Embolization using Onyx^® and Aetoxysclerol for pelvic venous disorders is safe and effective. • Imaging follow-up is facilitated by visualization of Onyx^® on MRI DIXON sequences.

MRI associated factors of clinical efficacy of embolization in patients with pelvic venous insufficiency

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to identify anatomical findings at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) associated with successful percutaneous embolization in women with pelvic venous insufficiency (PVI).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between 2008 and 2018, 168 consecutive women (mean age, 39±9 [SD] years; range: 21-69 years) who underwent percutaneous embolization for PVI confirmed by MRI and phlebography were included. Clinical efficacy of embolization was evaluated by patients' opinion or visual analogue scale. Associated factors of success of embolization were searched by comparing MRI findings in women with successful embolization with those in women with failed embolization using univariate analyses.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 36±29 (SD) months (range: 12-138 months). Clinical efficacy of embolization was obtained in 126/168 women (75%), complete symptom improvement in 33/168 women (20%) and significant partial improvement in 92/168 women (55%). No symptom improvement and symptoms exacerbation were observed in 17/168 (10%) and 2/168 (1%) women, respectively. At univariate analysis, right ovarian vein diameter≤7mm and vulvar varicosities were associated with successful embolization (P=0.04 and P=0.01, respectively) and left ovarian vein diameter≤7mm was associated with a complete improvement of symptoms (P=0.03). At multivariate analysis, a small right ovarian vein diameter was the single MRI variable associated with clinical efficacy of embolization (P=0.04).

CONCLUSION

Small ovarian vein diameters on MRI are associated with best clinical efficacy of percutaneous embolization in PVI. Right ovarian vein diameter>7mm should warrant further phlebography to exclude venous insufficiency.

Unique Case of Recurrent Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Treated with Median Sacral Vein Embolization

BACKGROUND

Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is defined as noncyclical pelvic pain or discomfort caused by dilated parauterine, paraovarian, and vaginal veins. PCS is typically characterized by ovarian venous incompetence that may be due to pelvic venous valvular insufficiency, hormonal factors, or mechanical venous obstruction.

METHODS

We describe a case of a 38-year-old multiparous female with a history of pelvic pressure, vulvar varices, and dyspareunia. She underwent left gonadal vein coil embolization in 2014 for PCS that lead to symptomatic relief of her pain. Four years later, the patient returned for recurrent symptoms. Magnetic resonance venogram demonstrated dilated pelvic varices. The previously embolized left gonadal vein remained thrombosed, and there was no evidence of right gonadal vein insufficiency. However, catheter-based venography revealed a large, dilated, and incompetent median sacral vein.

RESULTS

Pelvic venography demonstrated left gonadal vein embolization without any evidence of reflux. The right gonadal vein was also nondilated without reflux. Internal iliac venography showed large cross-pelvic collaterals and retrograde flow via a large, dilated median sacral vein. Coil embolization of the median sacral vein resulted in a dramatic reduction of pelvic venous reflux and resolution of symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrence of PCS can occur after ovarian vein embolization through other tributaries in the venous network. The median sacral vein is a rare cause of PCS. We present an interesting case of a successfully treated recurrent PCS with coil embolization of an incompetent median sacral vein.

Pelvic congestion syndrome and embolization of pelvic varicose veins

Pelvic congestion syndrome (PGS) is defined as chronic pelvic pain for more than 6 months associated with perineal and vulvar varicose veins caused by reflux or obstruction in gonadal, gluteal, or parauterine veins. PGS accounts for 16-31% of cases of chronic pelvic pain, and is usually diagnosed in the third and fourth decades of life. Interest in this condition among vascular surgeons has been increasing over recent years because of its association with venous insufficiency of the lower limbs. Despite its significant prevalence, PGS is still poorly diagnosed in both gynecology and angiology offices. Therefore, in this article we review the etiology and diagnosis of this condition and the outcomes of the different types of treatment available.

The Effect of a Subsequent Pregnancy After Ovarian Vein Embolization in Patients with Infertility Caused by Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To report the effect of pregnancy on patients who have undergone pelvic vein embolization with pelvic congestion syndrome, which was suspected to be the only cause of infertility.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data from a total of 12 women (mean age: 36.5 ± 4.3 years, range: 29-45 years) were collected between May 2013 and June 2016. Transvenous embolization with fibre platinum coils combined with anhydrous alcohol was performed in unilateral or bilateral ovarian veins after the diagnosis of venous varices confirmed by transvaginal ultrasound or pelvic venography. The follow-up time was 2-3 years. The primary outcomes of this study were the technical procedure and clinical effect, especially the pregnancy rate and complications.

RESULTS

The successful embolization rate was 100% with no significant complications during or after embolization. Ovarian vein embolization was performed unilaterally (7/12, 58.3%) or bilaterally (5/12, 41.7%). A total of 66.7% (8/12) of women had a subsequent pregnancy and complete pelvic pain relief, and 33.3% (4/12) of patients had partial pain relief. The numeric pain perception scores improved from 6.7 ± 1.1 to 2.7 ± 1.2 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Ovarian varices may be associated with infertility in some patients, and embolization of ovarian varices is a safe and effective method for those trying to become pregnant.

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome: Systematic Review of Treatment Success

Pelvic venous insufficiency is now a well-characterized etiology of pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). The prevalence of CPP is 15% in females aged 18 to 50 years in the United States and up to 43.4% worldwide. In addition to individual physical, emotional, and quality-of-life implications of CPP, there are profound healthcare and socioeconomic expenses with estimated annual direct and indirect costs in the United States in excess of 39 billion dollars. PCS consists of clinical symptoms with concomitant anatomic and physiologic abnormalities originating in venous insufficiency. The etiology of PCS is diverse involving both mechanical and hormonal factors contributing to venous dilatation (>5 mm) and insufficiency. Factors affecting the diagnosis of PCS include variance of causes and clinical presentations of pelvic pain and relatively low sensitivity of noninvasive diagnostic imaging and laparoscopy to identify insufficiency compared with catheter venogram. A systematic review of the literature evaluating patient outcomes following percutaneous treatment of PCS is presented.

Evaluation of sacroiliac joint MRI for pelvic venous congestion signs in women clinically suspected of sacroiliitis

Background Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is a commonly overlooked condition which is a potential cause of chronic pelvic pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) may demonstrate unexpected conditions that can mimic sacroiliitis (SI). Awareness of MRI-defined pelvic venous congestion (PVC) may help in identifying PCS, where vascular abnormality may be the sole manifestation of SIJ pain. Purpose To detect incidental MRI-defined PVC in patients who underwent SIJ-MRI for presumed SI and define the variance of its incidence. Material and Methods A total of 870 women who underwent SIJ-MRI were retrospectively evaluated. Incidental findings of PVC and other genitourinary and musculoskeletal system disorders were documented. Results Of the 774 included patients, 37% demonstrated incidentally detected imaging findings related to the genitourinary system, musculoskeletal system, and PVC. The prevalence of MRI-defined PVC signs was higher in patients without SI than with SI. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was higher in patients with SI whereas prevalence for genitourinary disorders was similar. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation between SI-PVC and SI-genitourinary disorders but not between SI-musculoskeletal disorders pairs ( P = 0.001, 0.001, and 0.057 > 0.05). The probability of observing SI in SIJ-MRI is positively correlated with the absence of PVC or genitourinary disorders. Conclusion Patients who underwent MRI for presumed SI demonstrated incidental PVC as well as other genitourinary and musculoskeletal findings. An awareness of these imaging findings can help identify PVC and may draw clinicians' attention to the possibility of PCS.

Embolization of ovarian vein for pelvic congestion syndrome with ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx®)

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pelvic embolization using ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx^®) for pelvic congestion syndrome.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between March 2012 to September 2016, 17 women (mean age, 44.7± 12.2 (SD) years; range: 34-71years) presenting with pelvic congestion syndrome were evaluated for transvenous embolization with Onyx^®. Pelvic congestion syndrome was initially diagnosed by clinical examination and the results of transvaginal Doppler ultrasound and further confirmed by pelvic venography. Primary and secondary clinical efficacy was defined respectively by the resolution of the symptoms after embolization and at the end of the follow-up, irrespective to the number of embolization procedures.

RESULTS

Technical efficacy of embolization was 100% with no significant complications during and after embolization. After a mean follow-up time of 24.2 months (range: 6-69months) a primary and secondary clinical efficacy of 76.4% (13/17 women) and 94.1% (16/17 women) respectively were observed. Four women (23.5%) underwent a second embolization procedure with one woman requiring a third embolization procedure. These additional embolization procedures were associated with direct puncture of vulvar varices for sclerotherapy in two women. Five women (29%) had recurrent symptoms 21 months post-treatment (7-42months).

CONCLUSION

Pelvic embolization using ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx^®) has a favorable clinical success for pelvic congestion syndrome.

Long-term results of transjugular coil embolisation for pelvic vein reflux – Results of the abolition of venous reflux at 6–8 years

Background

Pelvic venous reflux is known to be associated with lower limb varicose veins in 20% of women with a history of at least one previous vaginal delivery. Pelvic vein embolisation with coils has been shown to be a successful treatment in the short term. The objective of this study was to ascertain the long-term outcomes of pelvic vein embolisation for pelvic venous reflux.

Methods

Patients who had undergone pelvic vein embolisation in 2005–2007 were invited back to a specialist vein unit for transvaginal duplex ultrasonography in the summer of 2013. A total of 110 women were contacted. Pre-embolisation transvaginal duplex ultrasonography results were compared to those obtained six weeks post-procedure and at long-term follow-up.

Results

Twenty-eight female patients aged 40 to 75 years (mean 53.5) attended (response rate 25.5%), with parity prior to embolisation ranging from 1–5 children (mean 2.8). Mean follow-up time was 7.5 years. Six weeks post-procedure, 25 women had complete or virtual elimination of all reflux, and three had persistent reflux in at least one vein. At long-term follow-up, 11 women had complete elimination of all reflux, seven had elimination of all truncal reflux but minor reflux in vulval veins, six had minor reflux in one truncal vein, and four had significant reflux in one or more truncal veins (one of these gave birth one-year post-pelvic vein embolisation and another had coils removed during gynaecological surgery).

Conclusions

Transjugular pelvic vein embolisation is a durable technique for the abolition of reflux in the pelvic veins and is particularly adept at treating reflux in the ovarian veins.

Clinical outcome after treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome: sense and nonsense

Chronic pelvic pain accounts for approximately 10% of outpatient gynecologic visits and among the varied causes, pelvic congestion syndrome is second only to endometriosis in frequency. Manifestations may include pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dysuria, and dysmenorrhea as well as external varices and a number of psychosocial symptoms. Although a variety of treatments have been proposed-including pharmacologic ovarian suppression, hysterectomy with or without oophorectomy, and ovarian vein resection-transcatheter embolization is the least invasive and most efficacious management option. Complete or partial symptom improvement has been reported in 68.2-100% of patients and there has been a consistent reduction in visual analog pain scores after treatment. Based upon these results, recommendation of either pharmacotherapy or other surgical procedures is difficult to justify. However, it is also clear that 6-31.8% of patients do not get substantial relief from pelvic venous embolization. Potential explanations for an inadequate response to treatment include patient variability, procedural variability, and inadequate outcome measures. The latter are particularly important and future investigation should focus on the development of disease-specific quality of life measures as well as identifying those aspects of the procedure, such as choice of embolic agents and extent of embolization, associated with the best clinical outcomes.

The effect of a subsequent pregnancy after transjugular coil embolisation for pelvic vein reflux

Background Pelvic venous reflux has been proven to contribute to the development of primary and recurrent varicose veins, vulval/labial varicose veins and pelvic congestion syndrome. It is associated with lower limb varicose veins in 20% of patients who have a history of at least one prior vaginal delivery. Pelvic vein embolisation is known to be a safe and effective treatment for the abolition of pelvic venous reflux. However, the effect of a subsequent pregnancy on a previously embolised patient remains largely unknown. This study aims to report the effect of pregnancy on patients that have undergone pelvic vein embolisation. Methods Patients that had previously undergone pelvic vein embolisation for pelvic venous reflux at our unit were sent a questionnaire asking if they had had a pregnancy and subsequently delivered post-embolisation. Patients responding positively were invited to attend our unit for transvaginal duplex ultrasonography of their pelvic veins. Post-pregnancy transvaginal duplex ultrasonography results were compared to pre-embolisation and 6-week post-embolisation scans. Results Eight women, aged 32-48 years (mean 38.8), were retrospectively analysed. Parity prior to embolisation ranged from 1 to 5 (mean 2.8). Initial outcomes at 6 weeks Pelvic venous reflux was completely eliminated in five patients, two patients achieved complete elimination of truncal reflux with very minor vulval reflux and one patient had persistent, mild reflux in the right internal iliac vein. Post-pregnancy outcomes Pelvic venous reflux was completely eliminated in three patients and five patients displayed pelvic venous reflux in at least one truncal vein, with or without concurrent vulval reflux. No patient showed any coil displacement or embolisation as a result of the pregnancy. Conclusions Pregnancy is associated with recurrent reflux in the pelvic veins in women who had previously been treated with coil embolisation. Following recovery from pregnancy, repeat embolisation can eliminate recurrent reflux. Pregnancy appears to be safe following coil embolisation of pelvic veins.