Clinical (veins): Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

Question 1

what can the veins in the pelvis be prone to?

Answer 1

The veins in the pelvis are prone to valve failure that may cause them to become dilated and tortuous (similar to varicose veins of the leg)

Question 2

which veins are most prone to valve failure?

Answer 2

ovarian veins in women

Question 3

what can valve failure in pelvic veins lead to?

Answer 3

intense pain within the pelvis, known as pelvic congestion syndrome

Question 4

what is performed to treat pelvic congestion syndrome? why?

Answer 4

pelvic venous embolisation

The pelvis contains too many structures to successfully dissect out a vein

Question 5

what is a pelvic venous embolisation?

Answer 5

Using a venous catheter a guide wire is fed through, a contrast dye is used and affected vessels are embolised (blocked) with various substances, such as metal coils

Question 6

how come smaller veins can be tied off in pelvis?

Answer 6

Due to the rich venous anastomoses in the pelvis, one smaller vein can be tied off without compromising venous return