Abstract
Objective:
To assess the safety and technical success of percutaneous transcatheter embolisation of ovarian veins as an adjunct in the treatment of vulval and leg varicosities.
Design:
Prospective case series.
Setting:
Vascular surgery and radiology departments of a District General Hospital.
Patients:
Thirteen patients with atypical leg and vulval varicosities.
Interventions:
Via a transbrachial approach, selective cannulation of the ovarian veins was performed. If preliminary venography showed ovarian vein incompetence, transcatheter embolisation of the ovarian veins was performed.
Results:
In 12 of 13 cases, venography proved incompetence of the ovarian veins. The ovarian veins were successfully embolised in all of these (8 bilaterally, 4 unilaterally). Complete occlusion requires long (20 cm) coils to the main vessels. There were no significant complications.
Conclusion:
This procedure is safe and well tolerated. It confirms incompetence of the ovarian veins in selected patients and allows for embolisation in the majority.
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