Embolisation of Ovarian Veins

Embolisation is a technique that uses a hollow catheter, about 2mm in diameter to deliver coild into the pelvic and ovarian veins to occlude them. The technique is used on many other organs in the body, for example , to treat cerebral aneurysms or block the blood supply to fibroids.

Technique:

• Venous access is either via Right Internal Jugular Vein, or Vein

• A wire is passed into the left renal and thereafter into the Left Ovarian vein

• Venography is performed to document landmarks • Aethoxysclerol 3% solution injected to sclerose Pelvic Veins

• Embolic Coils are place in the ovarian vein to permanently occlude the vessel

Adverse Effects

36 hours after the procedure, most patients experience moderate left sided pelvic pain. This subsides after 48 hours. Some patients experience transient abdominal bloating and anorexia as a result of the retro-peritoneal inflammation. There is no evidence that ovarian function is adversely affected.

Embolisation Coil Technical Problems reported in the literature are rare and include vessel wall perforation and dislodgement of coils during the procedure. Results 75 % of patients report improvement in Bladder Symptoms, with 50% of the total grading the improvement as Excellent or Good. 25% report no improvement. For patients with pelvic congestion syndrome, there is a reported improvement of 80% in pelvic symptoms.