A comprehensive ultrasound approach to lower limb varicose veins and abdominal-pelvic connections

OBJECTIVE

Pelvic venous reflux may be responsible for pelvic venous disorders and/or lower-limb (LL) varicose veins. Ultrasound investigation with Doppler allows a complete study of the entire infra-diaphragmatic venous reservoir. The aim of this study was to guide and standardize the investigation of the pelvic origin of venous reflux in female patients with LL varicose veins.

METHODS

In this case-control study, we applied a comprehensive ultrasound investigation protocol, which involved four steps: (1) venous mapping of the lower limbs; (2) transperineal and vulvar approach; (3) transabdominal approach; and (4) transvaginal approach.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients in group 1 (patients with LL varicose veins and pelvic escape points [PEPs]) and 35 patients in group 2 (patients with LL varicose veins without PEPs [control group]) were studied, matched by age. The median age was 43 years in both groups. The calculated body mass index was lower in group 1 (23.4 kg/m2) compared with the control group (25.4 kg/m2), and this difference reached statistical significance (P < .001). The presence of pelvic varicose veins (PVs) by transvaginal ultrasound was 86% in group 1 and 31% in group 2. Perineal PEPs were the most prevalent, being found in 35 patients (79.5%), more frequent on the right (57.14%) than on the left (42.85%) and associated with bilateral PVs 65.7% of the time. In group 1, 23 patients (52%) reported recurrent varicose veins vs eight patients (23%) in the control group (P = .008). Regarding the complaint of dyspareunia, a significant difference was identified between the groups (P = .019), being reported in 10 (23%) patients in group 1 vs one patient (2.9%) in the control group. The median diameters in the transabdominal approach of the left gonadal veins were 6.70 mm for group 1 and 4.60 mm for group 2 (P < .001). In patients with PVs in group 1, the median diameter of PEPs at the trans-perineal window was 4.05 mm. In the transvaginal examination, the mean diameter of the veins in the peri uterine region was 8.71 mm on the left and 7.04 mm on the right.

CONCLUSIONS

The identification of PEPs by venous mapping demonstrates the pelvic origin of the reflux and its connections with the LL varicose veins. For a more adequate treatment plan, we suggest a complete investigation protocol based on the transabdominal and transvaginal study to rule out venous obstructions, thrombotic or not, and confirm the presence of varicose veins in the pelvic adnexal region.

Efficacy of endovascular treatment of pelvic varicose veins: A single-center retrospective observational study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of endovascular embolization of pelvic varicose veins in the treatment of pelvic venous disorders (PeVD).

METHODS

A single-center retrospective study was performed, including 156 women referred to the Erasmus University Medical Center between January 2011 and October 2020 for an evaluation of PeVD. Data on presenting symptoms, clinical workup, treatment, and clinical outcomes were collected. The primary end point was resolution of symptoms after treatment. Secondary outcomes were correlation between symptoms at presentation and relief of symptoms after treatment, minor or major procedural complications, recurrences, and additional treatments needed.

RESULTS

Ninety patients underwent a pelvic phlebography, of which 75 received embolization of pelvic varicose veins. Median follow-up after phlebography was 13.2 months (interquartile range, 6.0-40.1 months). Of the treated patients, 53 (70.7%) had partial or complete relief of symptoms. Forty-six women (61.3%) who received embolization of pelvic varicose veins required additional treatments for leg and/or vulvar varicose veins.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that endovascular embolization of pelvic varicose veins can be an effective treatment for PeVDs. However, additional treatments are often required for leg and/or vulvar varicose veins.

Clinical Efficacy of Conservative Treatment with Micronized Purified Flavonoid Fraction in Female Patients with Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) may be effectively managed with conservative treatment in certain patients. Treatment with venoactive drugs is common, but supportive data are limited. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) in women with PCS.

METHODS

In a single-blind, placebo-controlled study, women with duplex ultrasound diagnosis of pelvic varicose veins (PVV) and PCS were randomized to MPFF 1000 mg once daily or placebo for 2 months. Clinical manifestations of PCS were evaluated at baseline and end of treatment (M2) using three assessment tools: disease-specific quality of life (QoL) Pelvic Varicose Vein Questionnaire (PVVQ), Pelvic Venous Clinical Severity Score (PVCSS), and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for the main symptoms of the disease.

RESULTS

A total of 83 women were included, 42 received MPFF and 41 received placebo. In the MPFF group, the mean global PVVQ QoL index decreased significantly from 45.1 ± 14.7 at baseline to 36.6 ± 10.6 at M2 (mean change: 8.2 ± 10.4); no significant change was observed in the control group (mean change: - 0.3 ± 4.0). The between-group difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Compared with control, significant improvements were observed in all four QoL parameters (pain, physical, social, psychological, all P < 0.001). The mean PVCSS summary score decreased significantly by 3.4 ± 3.4 in the MPFF group (P < 0.001) compared with a non-significant change of - 0.2 ± 1.6 in the control group (between-group difference P < 0.001). In the MPFF group, improvements were statistically significant for 6 out of 10 clinical manifestations of PCS measured using the PVCSS, including pain (mean change from baseline: 0.5 ± 0.7) heaviness (0.4 ± 0.7), discomfort (0.6 ± 0.7) and tenderness (0.3 ± 0.5). No significant improvements were observed in the control group. When measured by VAS, between-group differences were statistically significant for the overall summary score (P < 0.001) and for 8 out of 10 PCS symptoms, including: pain (mean MPFF change from baseline: 2.0 ± 2.2), heaviness (1.3 ± 2.1), discomfort (1.5 ± 2.0), tenderness (0.9 ± 1.9), and edema (1.3 ± 2.1).

CONCLUSION

In women with PCS, conservative treatment with MPFF was associated with improved QoL and reduced symptom severity. MPFF may be considered an effective and safe treatment option for PCS in routine clinical practice.

Stratification of pelvic venous reflux in patients with pelvic varicose veins

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the association between the pattern and duration of pelvic venous reflux (PVR) and pelvic pain severity in patients with pelvic varicose veins (PVVs).

METHODS

The present retrospective study included 600 female patients with PVVs. Of the 600 patients, 453 had had PVVs and pelvic congestion syndrome (group 1) and 147 had had an asymptomatic disease course (group 2). Pelvic venous pain (PVP) was assessed using a visual analog scale. All the patients had undergone duplex ultrasound of the left and right renal veins, external, internal, and common iliac veins, and parametrial, uterine, gonadal, and vulvar veins (PV, UV, GV, and VV, respectively), with an assessment of their patency and diameter and the presence and duration of reflux. Reflux in the pelvic veins was considered pathologic if it lasted for >1 second.

RESULTS

In group 1, PVR type I (1-2 seconds), II (3-5 seconds), and III (>5 seconds or spontaneous reflux in the absence of a loading test) was found in 31%, 58%, and 11% of the patients, respectively. Moderate and severe reflux (types II and III) was associated with severe PVP (mean score, 8.3 ± 0.5) in 69% of the group 1 patients. A combination of reflux in the GV, PV, UV, and internal iliac vein was associated with severe PVP (mean score, 8.1 ± 0.3) in 51% of these patients. A combination of reflux in the PVs, UVs, and VVs was associated with moderate pain (mean score, 5.3 ± 0.2) in 49.2% of group 1. In group 2, PVR type I, II, and III was present in 95%, 4%, and 1% of the patients, respectively, and was observed in the PV only in patients with type I; in the GVs, PVs, UVs, and internal iliac veins in those with type II; and in the PVs and GVs in the patients with type III reflux. Reflux in the GVs and UVs was significantly more prevalent in group 1 than in group 2 (GVs, 51% vs 6%; P = .0001; UVs, 57% vs 7%; P = .0001). A combination of reflux in the GVs and UVs was a predictor of severe PVVs (odds ratio, 19.7; 95% confidence interval, 11.3-34.6).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with PVVs, the presence and severity of pelvic pain will be determined by the type of PVR and its distribution in the pelvic veins. The combination of moderate to severe reflux (types II and III) in the PVs, UVs, and GVs was a predictor of severe PVP. Patients with asymptomatic PVVs were characterized by mild reflux (type I) in the PVs, with rare involvement of the GVs and UVs.

Does pelvic congestion syndrome influence symptoms of chronic venous disease of the lower extremities?

OBJECTIVE

The study was aimed at assessing the influence of pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) on the clinical manifestations of chronic venous disease (CVD) of the lower extremities in patients with concomitant varicose veins of the pelvis and lower extremities.

STUDY DESIGN

We examined clinically and with duplex ultrasound 30 women with varicose veins of the lower extremity only (VVLE) and another 45 women with VVLE and concomitant varicose veins of the pelvis (VVP) causing symptoms of the pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). All patients had chronic venous disease (CVD) of class C2 (n = 47) or C3 (n = 28) according to the CEAP classification. All patients underwent duplex ultrasound (DUS) of the lower extremities and pelvis. Based on the clinical examination and DUS findings, the patients were allocated into two groups: group 1 (n = 30 patients with isolated VVLE without the signs of PCS and pelvic veins lesions) and group 2 (n = 45 patients with concomitant PCS, VVP and VVLE). The rates and severity of varicose, pain, and edema syndromes, and leg heaviness were assessed.

RESULTS

The patients of the group 2 had significantly more severe clinical manifestations of CVD, 4 times higher risk of leg pain (odds ratio [OR] 4.23; 95% CI 1.57-11.39), 7 times higher risk of leg edema (OR 7.42; 95% CI 2.23-24.78), 5 times higher risk of leg heaviness (OR 5.3; 95% CI 1.85-15.07), and in general 2 times more severe varicose veins, compared with the group 1.

CONCLUSION

The PCS is associated with an increase in the incidence and severity of the CVD symptoms.

Is the endovascular embolization of tributaries of the internal iliac veins essential in the treatment of isolated pelvic-perineal reflux?

Aim: The aim of study was to investigate the opportunities of local phlebectomy in the elimination of isolated pelvic-perineal reflux (PPR), as well as to determine the feasibility of endovascular embolization of the tributaries of internal iliac veins in PPR. Clinical trial no. NCT01598051.Materials and methods: The work is based on the results of examination and treatment of 43 female patients with varicose veins of the pelvis, perineum, and lower extremities. Patients had no signs of pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). All patients underwent duplex ultrasound scanning (DUS) and ovariography with pelvic phlebography (OPP). For the elimination of PPR, local phlebectomy was performed in the major labia and perineal area, with maximal possible mobilization of the vessel within the operative wound (33 patients). In 10 patients with isolated varicose transformation of the superficial veins on the posterior thigh, mini-phlebectomy was performed using the Varady phlebectomy extractors.Results and discussion: The varicose syndrome of the external genitalia, perineum, and posterior thigh was successfully treated in 100% of patients. Findings suggest that thorough mobilization and excision of the veins of the pudendal labia, perineum, and subcutaneous veins of the thigh is a reliable method for eliminating the pathological reflux from the intrapelvic veins to the superficial veins of the perineum and lower extremities. No recurrences of vulvar, perineal varices or dilation of the veins of the lower extremities were observed in 100% of patients over the 3-year follow-up period.Conclusion: Local phlebectomy is an effective technique for eliminating the isolated PPR in patients with varicose transformation of intrapelvic, vulvar, or perineal veins. Endovascular embolization of the tributaries of the internal iliac veins is not an essential component in the treatment of PPR. The present study has a limitation due to the absence of patients with PCS. The effectiveness of phlebectomy in the treatment of isolated PPR was studied.