Transvaginal Obliteration of a Complex Uterine Arteriovenous Fistula Using Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer

Repair of Isthmocele Following Embolization of Uterine Arteriovenous Malformation

OBJECTIVE

To present a case of concurrent uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and isthmocele, treated with ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVAC) embolization of the AVM followed by robotic isthmocele repair.

DESIGN

A stepwise video demonstration with narration.

SETTING

A tertiary care academic hospital. Patient is a 37-year-old with one previous cesarean section who presented with persistent heavy vaginal bleeding after a dilation and evacuation procedure. Imaging showed evidence of an isthmocele and an iatrogenic uterine AVM secondary to the dilation and evacuation procedure. Both entities are morbid conditions associated with significant operative blood loss. Embolization of the acquired AVM was first performed to stabilize bleeding. In addition, owing to the extensive uterine defect and history of infertility, surgical repair of the isthmocele was recommended.

INTERVENTIONS

A multidisciplinary approach combining interventional radiology and gynecologic surgery expertise, implementing several strategies to minimize blood loss: 1. Image-guided uterine AVM embolization with EVAC [1] 2. Hysteroscopic identification of isthmocele and residual EVAC in the cavity, with fluorescence transillumination to clearly delineate isthmocele borders 3. Robot-assisted laparoscopic approach for bladder flap creation, as well as retroperitoneal space dissection to skeletonize uterine arteries 4. Transient occlusion of uterine arteries using vascular clamps to minimize operative blood loss given the isthmocele size and its proximity to the left uterine artery 5. Resection of the isthmocele and removal of residual intracavitary EVAC 6. Multilayer, bidirectional hysterotomy closure and vascular clamp removal to restore uterine blood supply CONCLUSIONS: Successful multidisciplinary treatment of concurrent uterine AVM and isthmocele. Cesarean delivery at 36 to 37 weeks' gestational age was recommended for future deliveries.

Uterine Vascular Anomalies: Management and Treatment Overview

Uterine vascular anomalies (UVAs), while rare, can result in severe, life-threatening hemorrhage. An understanding of the presentation and management options for UVAs is important for interventional radiologists to appropriately evaluate and care for these patients. The authors propose a standardized terminology for UVAs to avoid confusion and conflating congenital from acquired vascular lesions, which have a different pathophysiology. Limited high-level evidence and no definitive guidelines for UVA management exist, although endovascular treatment with uterine artery embolization has generally become the first-line approach for symptomatic or persistent UVAs with high technical and clinical success rates. There is also no consensus on the optimal embolization technique; the authors propose an initial approach to first embolize the dominant uterine artery supplying the UVA with gelatin sponge, with the option to embolize the contralateral side at the time of initial embolization if there is persistent supply (avoiding bilateral empiric embolization). Repeat embolization is feasible and recommended in the setting of recurrence, and both clinical and imaging follow-up is important. Ultimately, a multidisciplinary approach with individualized patient management is needed, particularly in the face of a lack of consensus guidelines for the management of symptomatic UVAs.

Uterine Artery Embolization for Secondary Postpartum Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) affects approximately 14 million women yearly, accounts for 25% of delivery-related deaths in the world and is the main cause of emergency peripartum hysterectomy. Traditionally, PPH is defined as at least 500 mL of blood loss after vaginal delivery or 1000 mL of blood loss after cesarean-section. However, several authors have suggested a simpler definition to include women who experience hemodynamic instability after birth regardless of amount of blood loss. Secondary PPH is defined as bleeding that occurs after 24 hours to 12 weeks from delivery, and can fail medical management. It is imperative that the clinical team recognize the signs and symptoms of secondary PPH and, if necessary, consult the interventional radiology service for a minimally invasive option of uterine artery embolization, which has shown up to 95% success rate.

Imaging Diagnosis and Interventional Treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Combined with Arteriovenous Fistula

In order to explore the imaging diagnosis methods and interventional treatment effects of hepatocellular carcinoma combined with hepatic arteriovenous fistula (HAVF), a total of 120 patients, who were diagnosed as hepatic carcinoma with arteriovenous shunting and underwent medical imaging diagnosis and interventional surgery therapy at a designated hospital by this study from December 2014 to December 2018, were chosen as study subjects. Digital subtraction angiography was performed to analyze the imaging features of hepatocellular carcinoma combined with HAVF in each patient; then, according to these imaging diagnosis results, gelatin sponge or coil was used to block the fistula; mitomycin, carboplatin powder, and lipiodol mixed emulsion was combined or separately utilized for hepatic tumor embolization, in which iodized oil embolization chemotherapy was used for patients with mild paralysis; gelatin sponge granule embolization chemotherapy was used for moderate paralysis patients at their first intervention, and, after about 1 month, if the sputum disappeared, iodized oil embolization was used again; and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy was used only for patients with severe paralysis. The results show that the central type of HAVF is characterized by early angiography of portal vein and large branches and tumor staining after portal vein's angiography; the peripheral type of HAVF is characterized by portal vein branching in hepatic tumor and double rail sign accompanied by the arterial branch; 112 cases of patients completed embolization chemotherapy; 8 cases of patients only received chemotherapy perfusion; in 109 cases of patients sputum disappeared or shunt decreased at first treatment; and in 113 cases of patients iodine oil was well deposited or the tumor was stably reduced; most of the symptoms of refractory ascites, diarrhea, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding were controlled or improved, and there were no complications such as pulmonary embolism and hepatic failure. Therefore, HAVF increases the difficulty of interventional therapy, but, as long as the positive and appropriate treatment measures are taken, it can still achieve better curative effect without serious complications, which can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms of patients and improve the quality of life of patients. The results of this study provide a reference for the further researches on imaging diagnosis and interventional treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma combined with arteriovenous fistula.

Female Pelvic Vascular Malformations

Vascular malformations are classified primarily according to their flow characteristics, slow flow (lymphatic and venous) or fast flow (arteriovenous). They can occur anywhere in the body but have a unique presentation when affecting the female pelvis. With a detailed clinical history and the proper imaging studies, the correct diagnosis can be made and the best treatment can be initiated. Lymphatic and venous malformations are often treated with sclerotherapy while arteriovenous malformations usually require embolization. At times, surgical intervention of vascular malformations or medical management of lymphatic malformations has been implemented in a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. This review presents an overview of vascular malformations of the female pelvis, their clinical course, diagnostic studies, and treatment options.