Interventional radiology in the management of uncommon causes of obstetric haemorrhage

Role of interventional radiology in obstetrics and gynaecology: a clinical review of an experience in a quaternary care centre

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to equip both Obstetricians and Gynaecologists with the knowledge of clinical conditions that will benefit from interventional radiology, equipment and materials that are commonly used, benefits, complications and the side effects of these techniques.

METHODS

It was a single-centre, retrospective cohort study with examples from hospital practice during the period of 2015 to 2021, acquired through computerised database including all obstetrics and gynecological cases in which interventional radiology techniques were used. No statistical analysis of data was applicable as it was a single-centre retrospective analysis of cases.

RESULTS

We had a total of 35 cases, including but not limited to placenta accreta spectrum disorders, fibroid, pelvic congestion syndrome and arteriovenous malformation who underwent various interventional radiological procedures ranging from embolization of uterine artery, peripheral angiography, embolization, and internal iliac artery balloon placement to ovarian vein embolization and coil insertion.

CONCLUSION

Increased collaborative efforts between interventional radiology and gynaecology would allow patients to be fully informed on the complete spectrum of surgical and nonsurgical treatment options available to them.

Adnexal arteriovenous malformation presenting with spontaneous massive haemoperitoneum

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are vascular anomalies composed of a tangle of abnormal vessels in which one or more feeding arteries are directly connected to one or more draining veins via a nidus with no intervening capillary bed. The adnexa are particularly rare sites for the formation of such malformations. Here, we present the case of a middle-aged woman who presented with spontaneous massive haemoperitoneum occurring as a result of a ruptured adnexal AVM. The diagnosis was suspected on transabdominal sonography and confirmed on CT angiography. The patient was shifted to the interventional radiology suite for an urgent angioembolisation following which she improved haemodynamically and her symptoms resolved. The case highlights the fact that although exceedingly rare, gonadal AVMs are an important cause of spontaneous intraperitoneal bleeding. Diagnostic and interventional radiology play an important role in the early and accurate diagnosis of this entity, and angioembolisation can be lifesaving in such patients.

Effect of direct surgical treatment in pregnancy-related uterine arteriovenous malformation

BACKGROUND

Uterine arteriovenous malformation (UAVM) is a relatively rare but potentially life-threatening situations abnormal vascular connections between the uterine arterial and venous systems. Lack of recognized guidelines and clinic experience, there is a lot of clinic problems about diagnosis and treatment. By analyzing the clinical data of patients with pregnancy-related UAVM, we aim to confirm the safety of direct surgeries and the benefit of pretreatment (uterine artery embolization or medical therapy) before surgery, and to explore more optimal therapies for patients with pregnancy-related UAVM.

METHODS

A total of 106 patients in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2011 to December 2021 diagnosed of pregnancy-related UAVM were involved in this study. Depending on whether preoperative intervention was performed, the patients were divided into direct surgery group and pretreatment group (uterine artery embolization or medical management). Clinical characteristics, operative related factors and prognosis were analyzed.

RESULTS

The most common symptom of pregnancy-related UAVM was vaginal bleeding (82.5%), which could also be accompanied by abdominal pain. Pretreatments (uterine artery embolization or medical therapy) had no obvious benefit to the subsequent surgeries, but increased the hospital stay and hospital cost. Direct surgery group had satisfactory success rate and prognosis compared to pretreatment group.

CONCLUSION

For pregnancy-related UAVM, direct surgery has good effects and high safety with shorter hospital stays and less hospital cost. What is more, without uterine artery embolization and other medical therapy, patients could remain better fertility in future.