Pelvic AVM Embolization: A Tricky Affair—Multicenter Retrospective Experience

Abstract

Purpose:

Pelvic arteriovenous malformations (pAVMs) are congenital or acquired vascular anomalies, presenting with hematuria, menometrorrhagia, pelvic pain, and varices; they can be life-threatening in case of rupture. Surgical therapies have been proposed but endovascular embolization has been recognized as the primary modality. The aim of this article was to report a retrospective multicenter experience concerning embolization of pelvic AVMs and provide literature overview.

Materials and Methods:

We describe 18 patients (14 female and 4 male) diagnosed with pAVM and treated with minimally invasive methods. The pre-procedural imaging evaluation was based on transpelvic and/or transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound, contrast-enhanced computed tomography, and/or magnetic resonance. In 3 cases, the malformation was congenital and in other 15, acquired. Most common symptoms were menometrorrhagia, hematuria, pelvic pain and pressure, and heaviness in the lower abdominal region. In 10 cases (56%), only 1 procedure was required. Eight patients underwent multistage treatment.

Results:

Complete occlusion of the lesion in post-procedural angiography was observed in 12 patients (67%). No major periprocedural complications were observed. In 14 cases (78%), both satisfactory embolization and significant clinical improvement was achieved in long-term follow-up. Sixteen patients (88%) were at least satisfied with the clinical outcome. One patient reported subsequent successful pregnancy 5 years after the treatment.

Conclusion:

Hemodynamics of pAVM are variable and thorough understanding of the vessel anatomy is crucial in planning and choosing proper treatment. Both transarterial and percutaneous direct puncture embolization strategies appear safe, technically feasible, and clinically effective.

Clinical Impact

In this manuscript, we discuss the role of interventional radiology methods in the treatment of pelvic arteriovenous malformations along with its advantages, limitations and possible complications. In addition to this, we review the current literature and confront our findings with those made by other authors. We believe that modern endovascular methods offer safe and reliable alternative for traditional surgical therapy and should be therefore considered during multidisciplinary treatment of these patients.