Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (Ovarian Vein Embolization)

Pelvic venous congestion syndrome is also known as ovarian vein refluxcaused by dilatation of the ovarian and/or pelvic veins.

This can cause the following symptoms:

Pelvic pain or aching around the pelvis and lower abdomen

Dragging sensation or pain in the pelvis

Feeling of fullness in the legs

Worsening of stress incontinence

Worsening in the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome

The usual treatment is percutaneous transcatheter pelvic vein embolisation.

Pelvic vein embolisation is a minimally invasive procedure performed by a specially trained interventional radiologist in the interventional radiology suite.

Using x-ray image guidance and contrast material to see the blood vessels, the catheter is then directed into abnormal ovarian and/or pelvic vein.

Abnormal vein is sealed and blocked using synthetic material or medication called embolic agents.

Benefits of the Pelvic Vein Embolisation

Pelvic vein/ovarian vein embolisation has been shown to be a safe procedure with relief of the symptoms of pain, and improvement in the appearances of the varicose veins.
Embolization is a highly effective way of blocking the vessel.
No surgical incision is needed—only a small nick in the skin that does not have to be stitched closed.
Embolization is much less invasive than conventional open surgery. As a result, there are fewer complications and the hospital stay is relatively brief – typically this is done as a day case. Blood loss is less than with traditional surgical treatment, and there is no obvious surgical incision.
A majority of women (up to 85%) find they have an improvement within 2 weeks of the procedure.