Abstract
Background: Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a minimally invasive radiologic procedure in which microspheres of polyvinyl alcohol particles are injected into the uterine artery to occlude blood flow. This paper reports a case of life-threatening sepsis requiring emergent hysterectomy following the therapeutic use of UAE to treat uterine hemorrhage. Case: This is a 42-year-old patient who had been referred to our center for uterine hemorrhage and was treated with UAE. The patient subsequently developed pyometria, leading to a lifethreatening gram-negative septicemia. She ultimately required an emergent surgery. Conclusion: This case demonstrates that uterine infection and sepsis may develop following uterine artery embolization for leiomyomata uteri. Early identification and treatment with intensive care unit (ICU) management, antibiotics, and, possibly, surgical intervention are important components in the management of sepsis following UAE. (J GYNECOL SURG 21:173)
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