Haemorrhoids are associated with internal iliac vein reflux in up to one-third of women presenting with varicose veins associated with pelvic vein reflux

The Clinical Problem of Pelvic Venous Disorders

Pelvic venous disorders are inter-related pathologic conditions caused by reflux and obstruction in the pelvic veins. It can present a spectrum of clinical features based on the route of transmission of venous hypertension to either distal or caudal venous reservoirs. Imaging can help to visualize pelvic vascular and visceral structures to rule out other gynecologic, gastrointestinal, and urologic diseases. Endovascular treatment, owing to its low invasive nature and high success rate, has become the mainstay in the management of pelvic venous disorders. This article reviews the pathophysiology, clinical presentations, and diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to pelvic venous disorders.

Current Best Practice in the Management of Varicose Veins

This article outlines the current best practice in the management of varicose veins. “Varicose veins” traditionally means bulging veins, usually seen on the legs, when standing. It is now a general term used to describe these bulging veins, and also underlying incompetent veins that reflux and cause the surface varicose veins. Importantly, “varicose veins” is often used for superficial venous reflux even in the absence of visible bulging veins. These can be simply called “hidden varicose veins”. Varicose veins usually deteriorate, progressing to discomfort, swollen ankles, skin damage, leg ulcers, superficial venous thrombosis and venous bleeds. Patients with varicose veins and symptoms or signs have a significant advantage in having treatment over conservative treatment with compression stockings or venotropic drugs. Small varicose veins or telangiectasia without symptoms or signs can be treated for cosmetic reasons. However, most have underlying venous reflux from saphenous, perforator or local “feeding veins” and so investigation with venous duplex should be mandatory before treatment. Best practice for investigating leg varicose veins is venous duplex ultrasound in the erect position, performed by a specialist trained in ultrasonography optimally not the doctor who performs the treatment. Pelvic vein reflux is best investigated with transvaginal duplex ultrasound (TVS), performed using the Holdstock-Harrison protocol. In men or women unable to have TVS, venography or cross-sectional imaging is needed. Best practice for treating truncal vein incompetence is endovenous thermal ablation. Increasing evidence suggests that significant incompetent perforating veins should be found and treated by thermal ablation using the transluminal occlusion of perforator (TRLOP) approach, and that incompetent pelvic veins refluxing into symptomatic varicose veins in the genital region or leg should be treated by coil embolisation. Bulging varicosities should be treated by phlebectomy at the time of truncal vein ablation. Monitoring and reporting outcomes is essential for doctors and patients; hence, participation in a venous registry should probably be mandatory.

[Diagnosis of arteriovenous compression in small pelvic varicose veins]

AIM

The study was aimed at assessing the incidence of arteriovenous compression in women with chronic venous insufficiency of the inferior vena cava and at developing an optimal diagnostic algorithm.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During the period 2019-2020, we performed a cross-sectional study including a total of sixty-six 18-to-55-year-old (mean 33.5±5.0) women with clinical manifestations of chronic venous insufficiency of the basin of the inferior vena cava. A diagnostic algorithm included questionnaire, transvaginal ultrasound examination, multislice computed tomography, direct phlebography in combination with phlebotonometry.

RESULTS

Chronic venous insufficiency of lower limbs was diagnosed in 66 (100%) cases and was presented by the following clinical classes according to the CEAP classification: C0 - 4.5%, C1 - 60.6%, C2 - 27.2%, C3 - 3%. Symptoms of pelvic venous plethora were revealed in 36 (55.5%) examined patients. Arteriovenous compression syndrome according to the findings of multislice computed tomography was verified in 16 (24%) women, including May-Turner syndrome in 5 (7.6%), aortomesenteric compression syndrome in 8 (12%) women, with a combination of both syndromes observed in 3 cases; the frequency of their detection did not differ statistically in subgroups of women with and without clinical signs pelvic varicose veins. Direct phlebography in combination with phlebotonometry was performed in 9 women, the diagnosis of arteriovenous compression (May-Thurner syndrome) was confirmed in 1 case only.

CONCLUSION

In women with signs of chronic venous insufficiency in the system of the inferior vena cava the frequency of detecting arteriovenous compression on multislice computed tomography may reach 24% and does not depend on the presence of symptoms of pelvic venous plethora. The proportion of arteriovenous compression according to the findings of direct phlebography and phlebotonometry in the structure of causes of the development of pelvic varicose veins did not exceed 11%. An algorithm for diagnosing arteriovenous compression syndromes should obligatorily include multislice computed tomography, direct phlebography and phlebotonometry.

Assessment of venous leg symptoms in patients with hemorrhoidal disease (VEIN-HEMORRHOID study)

BACKGROUND

Coexistence of dilating venous diseases in different vascular territories has raised the idea that they have similar vascular wall abnormality in their evolutionary process. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate venous leg symptoms in patients with hemorrhoidal disease (HD) by means of VEINES-Sym questionnaire.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study involved 249 consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy and met the inclusion criteria. Presence and grading of HD were made according to Goligher's classification. All patients were examined for the existing of varicose vein and classified in respect of CEAP classification. All participants were requested to answer the VEINES-Sym questionnaire.

RESULTS

There was not statistically significant differences between the patients without HD (grade 0 or I) and with HD (Grade II or III) in respect to clinical characteristics except female predominance in hemorrhoid group (p = 0.07). Scores of heavy legs, swelling, burning sensation, restless leg, throbbing, tingling, and total VEINES score were significantly lower (ie: worse) in hemorrhoid group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender and total VEINES score were independently associated with HD (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.17-3.52, p = 0.01; OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92-0.99, p = 0.02, respectively). Among all venous leg symptoms, severity of heavy legs, night cramps, swelling and aching were significantly correlated with the grades of HD.

CONCLUSION

We have shown significant association between the HD and venous leg symptoms reflected by total VEINES score and significant correlation between the HD grade and venous leg symptoms severity including heavy legs, swelling, night cramps and aching legs.

The Symptoms-Varices-Pathophysiology classification of pelvic venous disorders: A report of the American Vein & Lymphatic Society International Working Group on Pelvic Venous Disorders

This Practice Guidelines document has been co-published in Phlebology [DOI: 10.1177/0268355521999559] and Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2020.12.084]. The publications are identical except for minor stylistic and spelling differences in keeping with each journal’s style. The contribution has been published under a Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0), (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

With the support of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Vein & Lymphatic Society, the American Venous Forum, the Canadian Society of Phlebology, the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Society of Europe, the European Venous Forum, the International Pelvic Pain Society, the International Union of Phlebology, the Korean Society of Interventional Radiology, the Society of Interventional Radiology, and the Society for Vascular Surgery

As the importance of pelvic venous disorders (PeVD) has been increasingly recognized, progress in the field has been limited by the lack of a valid and reliable classification instrument. Misleading historical nomenclature, such as the May-Thurner, pelvic congestion, and nutcracker syndromes, often fails to recognize the interrelationship of many pelvic symptoms and their underlying pathophysiology. Based on a perceived need, the American Vein and Lymphatic Society convened an international, multidisciplinary panel charged with the development of a discriminative classification instrument for PeVD. This instrument, the Symptoms-Varices-Pathophysiology (“SVP”) classification for PeVD, includes three domains—Symptoms (S), Varices (V), and Pathophysiology (P), with the pathophysiology domain encompassing the Anatomic (A), Hemodynamic (H), and Etiologic (E) features of the patient’s disease. An individual patient’s classification is designated as SVP_A,H,E. For patients with pelvic origin lower extremity signs or symptoms, the SVP instrument is complementary to and should be used in conjunction with the Clinical-Etiologic-Anatomic-Physiologic (CEAP) classification. The SVP instrument accurately defines the diverse patient populations with PeVD, an important step in improving clinical decision making, developing disease-specific outcome measures and identifying homogenous patient populations for clinical trials.

Female pelvic congestion syndrome: how can CT and MRI help in the management decision?

OBJECTIVE

Diagnosis of female pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is challenging. Although invasive venography is the gold-standard for diagnosis, however, CT and MRI are important in the assessment. In this study, we tried to highlight the role of CT and MRI as non-invasive tools in the diagnosis and management of PCS.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

This was a retrospective study of 50 patients confirmed clinically to have PCS. These patients had already done CT and MRI before venography or surgery.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 48 years ± 12 years SD. Vaginal discharge and pelvic heaviness were the commonest symptoms (46 and 42% respectively). The commonest risk factor was multiparity (56%) followed by the RVF uterus (26%). No significant difference was found between CT, MRI, and venography as regarding the diameter of the ovarian vein, diameter, and the number of the varicose veins. The sensitivity of CT and MRI was 94.8 and 96%. CT and MRI discovered five cases with local pelvic obstructing cause,14 cases with evidence of vascular compression syndrome, and the rest 31 cases diagnosed to have primary non-obstructing PCS which was effective in decision-making with the surgery indicated in the first group while stenting of the vascular obstruction followed by bilateral ovarian veins coiling was the better option for the second group and only bilateral coiling was needed for the last group.

CONCLUSION

CT and MRI play important roles in the diagnosis and even management decision in cases of PCS.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:

Identification of the importance of diagnostic radiology before management decisions of cases with PCS.

The Symptoms-Varices-Pathophysiology classification of pelvic venous disorders: A report of the American Vein & Lymphatic Society International Working Group on Pelvic Venous Disorders

As the importance of pelvic venous disorders (PeVD) has been increasingly recognized, progress in the field has been limited by the lack of a valid and reliable classification instrument. Misleading historical nomenclature, such as the May-Thurner, pelvic congestion, and nutcracker syndromes, often fails to recognize the interrelationship of many pelvic symptoms and their underlying pathophysiology. Based on a perceived need, the American Vein and Lymphatic Society convened an international, multidisciplinary panel charged with the development of a discriminative classification instrument for PeVD. This instrument, the Symptoms-Varices-Pathophysiology ("SVP") classification for PeVD, includes three domains-Symptoms (S), Varices (V), and Pathophysiology (P), with the pathophysiology domain encompassing the Anatomic (A), Hemodynamic (H), and Etiologic (E) features of the patient's disease. An individual patient's classification is designated as SVP_A,H,E. For patients with pelvic origin lower extremity signs or symptoms, the SVP instrument is complementary to and should be used in conjunction with the Clinical-Etiologic-Anatomic-Physiologic (CEAP) classification. The SVP instrument accurately defines the diverse patient populations with PeVD, an important step in improving clinical decision making, developing disease-specific outcome measures and identifying homogenous patient populations for clinical trials.

Imaging Appearance and Nonsurgical Management of Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome

Pelvic venous congestion syndrome (PVCS) is a challenging and complex cause of chronic pelvic pain in female patients. PVCS due to incompetent vein valves is the combination of gonadal vein reflux and pelvic venous engorgement in patients with chronic pelvic pain without other causes. However, pelvic venous engorgement and gonadal vein reflux can be seen in patients without pelvic pain, which makes obtaining a detailed history and physical examination important for workup and diagnosis. The underlying cause of PVCS may be incompetent gonadal vein valves or structural causes such as left renal vein compression with an incompetent gonadal vein valve (nutcracker syndrome) or iliac vein compression (May-Thurner configuration) with reflux into the ipsilateral internal iliac vein. Venography is considered the criterion standard for imaging diagnosis; however, more recently, US and MRI have been shown to provide adequate accuracy for diagnosis. Noninvasive imaging studies aid in the diagnosis of PVCS and also aid in pretreatment planning. When PVCS is caused by incompetent gonadal vein valves, treatment typically is performed by means of embolization via a minimally invasive catheter with excellent technical and clinical success rates. When PVCS is caused by venous obstruction, the obstruction must be treated first before gonadal vein embolization and sclerotherapy are considered. ^©RSNA, 2019 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Symptoms in Dilating Venous Disease

Lower extremity venous diseases or insufficiency include clinically deteriorating conditions with morphological and functional alterations of the venous system, including venous hypertension, vascular wall structural abnormality, and venous valvar incompetency in association with an inflammatory process. In fact, the same pathophysiological processes are the main underlying mechanisms of other venous insufficiencies in different vascular territories such as Peripheral Varicose Vein (PVV), varicocele, Pelvic Varicosities or Congestion Syndrome (PCS) and Hemorrhoidal Disease (HD). Regarding the anatomical continuity of lower extremity venous system, urogenital system (pampiniform plexus in male and broad ligament and ovarian veins in female) and anorectal venous system, it is reasonable to expect common symptoms such as pain, burning sensation, pruritis, swelling, which arise directly from the involved tissue itself. High coexistence rate of PVV, varicocele/PCS and HD between each other underlines not only the same vascular wall abnormality as an underlying etiology but also the existence of common symptoms originating from the involved tissue in dilating venous disease. Accordingly, it might be reasonable to query the common symptoms of venous dilating disease in other venous vascular regions in patients with complaints of any particular venous territory.

Evaluation of hemorrhoidal disease and lower extremity venous insufficiency in primary adult varicocele: A prospective controlled study

Background

The study investigated the association between varicocele, lower extremity venous insufficiency and hemorrhoidal disease.

Methods

The study included 62 patients with varicocele and 60 voluntary subjects with no varicocele. Patients who were diagnosed as having varicocele on physical examination and Doppler ultrasonography were included in the study group. Examination of lower extremity venous insufficiency was performed by physical examination and Doppler ultrasonography. Examination of hemorrhoidal disease was performed by a general surgery specialist.

Results

The patients with varicocele had a statistically significant ( p < 0.05) higher rates of venous insufficiency of the lower extremities and had a borderline significant difference of higher hemorrhoidal disease rates ( p = 0.05). Therewithal incidences of hemorrhoidal disease and lower extremity venous insufficiency were significantly higher in body mass index > 25 and age > 30 years of varicocele patients.

Conclusion

There is a statistically significant relation between varicocele, lower extremity venous insufficiency, and hemorrhoidal disease. In particular, varicocele patients who are aged over 30 years and overweight are at higher risk.

Increase and Redistribution of Sex Hormone Receptors in Premenopausal Women Are Associated with Varicose Vein Remodelling

In chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs, data show that the clinical manifestation is varicose veins (VVs), and VV epidemiology suggests that sex hormones directly influence disease development through intracellular receptors. This study aimed to determine the presence and localization of oestrogen receptors (ERs), progesterone receptors (PRs), and androgen receptors (ARs) in both healthy and VV wall cells and their relationship with gender. In this study, samples from patients without a history of venous disease (CV) (n = 18) and with VV (n = 40) were used. The samples were divided by gender: CV women (CVw) = 6, CV men (CVm) = 12, VV women (VVw) = 25, and VV men (VVm) = 15. RT-qPCR and immunohistochemical techniques were performed, and increased ER and PR protein expression was found in VVw in all tunica layers. ARs were localized to the adventitial layer in the CV and were found in the neointima in VVs. mRNA expression was increased for ER and PR in VVw. AR gene expression was significantly decreased in VVm. The increase in the number of these receptors and their redistribution through the wall reinforces the role of sex hormones in varicose vein development.

Venous leg symptoms in patients with varicocele: A multicenter assessment study (VEIN-TURKEY study)

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate chronic venous disease symptoms by using the Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study-Quality of Life/Symptoms (VEINES-QoL/Sym) questionnaire in varicocele patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was designed as a prospective, case controlled study and conducted in four hospitals from Turkey. A total of 600 patients who admitted to urology outpatient clinic were enrolled to the study. After the exclusion of 44 patients who do not match the inclusion criteria, the remaining 556 patients were examined for the presence and grade of varicocele and subsequently examined clinically for the presence of chronic venous disease findings. Finally, patients were asked to answer the VEINES-Sym questionnaire consisting of 10 items. All patients' demographic parameters, cardiovascular risk factors, other co-morbid diseases and drug usage were noted.

RESULTS

Patients were classified into two groups: varicocele (+) group ( n = 269) and varicocele (-) group ( n = 287). VEINES-Sym scores of varicocele patients were lower compared to patients without varicocele (41.41 ± 5.21, 43.19 ± 3.22, respectively, p < 0.001). Grades of varicocele significantly but inversely correlated with VEINES-Sym score ( r = 0, -206, p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that presence of varicocele irrespective of grading significantly and independently associated with the presence of aching (odds ratio: 2.054, 95% confidence interval: 1.265-3.338, p = 0.004) and throbbing (odds ratio: 2.586, 95% confidence interval: 1.353-4.943, p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Varicocele patients have lower VEINES-Sym scores compared to patients without varicocele and this finding is inversely correlated with the degree of the varicocele. This association supports the hypothesis that there may be a systemic vessel wall abnormality in venous disease patients. Patients with symptoms related to vascular dilatation in any territory may deserve to be assessed systematically with the support of further clinical studies.

Anatomical abnormalities of the pelvic venous system and their implications for endovascular management of pelvic venous reflux

Background Pelvic venous reflux is often treated with pelvic vein embolisation; however, atypical pelvic venous anatomy may provide therapeutic challenges. Methods We retrospectively reviewed seven patient files and reported symptoms, diagnostic imaging, aberrant anatomy and means by which the interventional radiologist successfully completed the procedure. Any follow-up data were included if available. Results Four anatomical abnormalities were found: internal iliac veins draining into the contralateral common iliac vein, duplicated inferior vena cava, reverse-angle renal veins with atypical left ovarian vein drainage and direct drainage of the internal iliac vein to the inferior vena cava. All patients were successfully treated with pelvic vein embolisation. Conclusion Abnormal embryologic development may cause variable pelvic venous anatomy. Knowledge of this will enable interventional radiologists to successfully treat such patients.

Pelvic vein embolisation of gonadal and internal iliac veins can be performed safely and with good technical results in an ambulatory vein clinic, under local anaesthetic alone - Results from two years' experience

Objectives Pelvic vein embolisation is increasing in venous practice for the treatment of conditions associated with pelvic venous reflux. In July 2014, we introduced a local anaesthetic "walk-in walk-out" pelvic vein embolisation service situated in a vein clinic, remote from a hospital. Methods Prospective audit of all patients undergoing pelvic vein embolisation for pelvic venous reflux. All patients had serum urea and electrolytes tested before procedure. Embolisation coils used were interlock embolisation coils (Boston Scientific, USA) as they can be repositioned after deployment and before release. We noted (1) complications during or post-procedure (2) successful abolition of pelvic venous reflux on transvaginal duplex scanning (3) number of veins (territories) treated and number of coils used. Results In 24 months, 121 patients underwent pelvic vein embolisation. Three males were excluded as transvaginal duplex scanning was impossible and six females excluded due to lack of complete data. None of these nine had any complications. Of 112 females analysed, mean age 45 years (24-71), 104 were for leg varices, 48 vulval varices and 20 for pelvic congestion syndrome (some had more than one indication). There were no deaths or serious complications to 30 days. Two procedures were abandoned, one completed subsequently and one was technically successful on review. One more had transient bradycardia and one had a coil removed by snare during the procedure. The mean number of venous territories treated was 2.9 and a mean of 3.3 coils was used per territory. Conclusion Pelvic vein embolisation under local anaesthetic is safe and technically effective in a remote out-patient facility outside of a hospital.

Pelvic venous reflux in males with varicose veins and recurrent varicose veins

Objectives To report on a male cohort with pelvic vein reflux and associated primary and recurrent lower limb varicose veins. Methods Full lower limb duplex ultrasonography revealed significant pelvic contribution in eight males presenting with bilateral lower limb varicose veins. Testicular and internal iliac veins were examined with either one or a combination of computed tomography, magnetic resonance venography, testicular, transabdominal or transrectal duplex ultrasonography. Subsequently, all patients received pelvic vein embolisation, prior to leg varicose vein treatment. Results Pelvic vein reflux was found in 23 of the 32 truncal pelvic veins and these were treated by pelvic vein embolisation. Four patients have since completed their leg varicose vein treatment and four are undergoing leg varicose vein treatments currently. Conclusion Pelvic vein reflux contributes towards lower limb venous insufficiency in some males with leg varicose veins. Despite the challenges, we suggest that pelvic vein reflux should probably be investigated and pelvic vein embolisation considered in such patients.

Pelvic congestion syndrome masquerading as osteoarthritis of the hip

OBJECTIVES

Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is associated with pelvic vein reflux (PVR), occasionally secondary to venous compression. Its symptoms, usually intra-pelvic, are alleviated following the abolition of this reflux by pelvic vein embolisation (PVE). The objective of this report is to present two cases of left hip pain, erroneously diagnosed as osteoarthritis, which disappeared after successful PVE and abolition of PVR.

METHODS

Two females presented with lower limb varicose veins, and also had a history of left-sided hip pain. Both had previously been investigated for the hip pain and diagnosed as osteoarthritis despite minimal arthritic changes on pelvic X-rays. During investigation for lower limb varicose veins, both showed a pelvic origin for their leg veins and hence underwent transvaginal duplex ultrasound. This revealed PVR, and PVE was planned in both patients.

RESULTS

Both patients underwent PVE and reported 'miraculous' resolution of left hip pain and also PCS symptoms including pelvic pain, irritable bowel issues and the disappearance of pelvic dragging, with almost immediate disappearance of vulval and vaginal varicosities. One patient also noted reduced clitoral sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

Manifestations of PCS may vary in terms of intra- or extra-pelvic signs. PCS and PVR should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with arthritic symptoms in the hip without evident radiographic evidence.

Diagnosing of pelvic vein incompetence using minimally invasive ultrasound techniques

Background Pelvic vein incompetence is a cause for pelvic pain and recurrent varicose veins in women. The gold standard diagnostic method is reflux venography involving radiation, nephrotoxic contrast and jugular puncture. Trans-vaginal ultrasound (TVU) is increasingly being used as a diagnostic tool for pelvic vein incompetence. Methods Fifty women with clinical suspicion of pelvic vein incompetence and aged between 18 and 55 years were recruited prospectively over two years at a large UK University Teaching Hospital. Trans-vaginal ultrasound was performed using a standardised protocol which included assessment of the ovarian and internal iliac veins bilaterally in the supine and semi-standing position with provocative manoeuvres. Diagnostic readability and inter-observer variability was determined. Results Mean (range) age of 43 (23-51). Visibility of all four pelvic veins was better in the supine position compared with semi-standing position (76% vs 64%). Pelvic vein incompetence was identified in 34 of 50 (68%) women in the supine position compared with 38 of 50 (76%) women in the semi-standing position. Pelvic vein incompetence was demonstrated in 35 of 50 (70%) women with Valsalva manoeuvre. Inter-observer variability was 0.84 (kappa, very good agreement, p = 0.001). Conclusion Trans-vaginal ultrasound is effective at demonstrating pelvic vein incompetence. All trans-vaginal ultrasound protocols should include assessment of pelvic veins in the supine and semi-standing position with Valsalva manoeuvre.

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.

Dilating venous disease: Pathophysiology and a systematic aspect to different vascular territories

Venous disease is a common but overlooked clinical problem and is an important mortality and morbidity factor depending on the effected vascular territory. Different contributing factors play role on the clinical manifestation of the disease. Peripheral varices of lower extremities, hemorrhoids, varicoceles, pelvic varicose veins are the vasculopathy of veins running toward heart but against gravity. We hypothesize that all these clinical entities share common pathophysiologic steps in terms of vascular wall remodeling and vessel wall damage. A systematic approaches to both arterial and venous dilating disease in further studies and research would increase our understanding on the pathophysiology of dilating vascular disease and would provoke to find out new treatment modalities. Varicose remodeling of veins occurs by a complex interplay of various factors including both physical forces and extracellular matrix remodeling mechanisms. This article focuses on the systematic aspects of dilating venous disease with a focus on pathophysiology under the term of "Dilating Venous Disease".

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.