Interventional Therapy of Pelvic Venous Disorders (PeVD)

Abstract

Background Pelvic venous disorders (PeVD) are an underdiagnosed cause of chronic pelvic pain in women. They are caused by venous insufficiency of the pelvic or ovarian veins, leading to the development of mainly periuterine and periovarian varices. It is a progressive disease if left untreated and can cause swelling, dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, and other symptoms, some non-specific, that affect the patient’s quality of life. Interventional therapies are a central component of the treatment of PeVD, with a variety of techniques available for both diagnosis and treatment.

Method This review provides an overview of the pathophysiologic background, diagnosis, and, most importantly, interventional treatment options for PeVD.

Results There is a lack of standardized nomenclature and internationally accepted diagnostic criteria for PeVD as well as randomized controlled trials demonstrating clinical success. However, in clinical trials, endovascular therapy for PeVD has been shown to be safe and effective. This review presents the various interventional techniques for the treatment of PeVD, including embolization, stenting, and sclerotherapy.

Conclusion The importance of PeVD is receiving growing recognition. Recent advances, such as the development of the Symptoms-Varices-Pathophysiology (SVP) classification, provide an impetus to standardize nomenclature and are the first step toward systematizing disease management. Interventional therapies provide a safe and tailored minimally invasive treatment option for patients with PeVD.

Key Points 

• Pelvic venous disorders are an underdiagnosed condition with frequently delayed diagnosis and debilitating symptoms.

• Until now, the PeVD nomenclature has been imprecise, with terms like May-Thurner syndrome/Nutcracker syndrome.

• Interventional approaches are effective and play a central role in PeVD treatment.

Citation Format

• Dewald CL, Becker LS, Meyer BC. Interventional Therapy of Pelvic Venous Disorders (PeVD). Fortschr Röntgenstr 2024; 196: 921 – 927

Keywords

pelvic venous disorders (PeVD) - pelvic congestion syndrome - nutcracker syndrome - may thurner syndrome - endovascular therapy

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 14. September 2023

Angenommen: 23. November 2023

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
19. Februar 2024

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