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Semin intervent Radiol 2021; 38(02): 233-238
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1729745
Review Article

Clinical Presentation, Patient Assessment, Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and Imaging of Pelvic Venous Disease

Sean Maratto
1   Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
,
Neil M. Khilnani
2   Division of Interventional Radiology, Weill Cornell Vein Treatment Practice, New York – Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
,
Ronald S. Winokur
1   Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Abstract

Pelvic venous disorders (PeVDs) can result in several different clinical presentations, but can be challenging to distinguish from other etiologies of chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Clinical evaluation of CPP patients optimally should be performed in a multidisciplinary fashion and patients who may have PeVD should be referred for consultation with a vascular interventionalist whose evaluation would utilize an imaging workup to search for pelvic varices. Additionally, it is critical to quantify the quality-of-life effects of all CPP to determine the impact on the patient's overall health. Diagnostic imaging, including transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and venography, can be utilized to identify pelvic varices, as well as venous reflux and obstruction leading to CPP. The use of the SVP tool is important to classify PeVD patients based on their clinical symptoms, varicose veins, and pathophysiology for precise clinical communication and for reporting clinical research. The goal of this publication is to delineate the clinical presentation, anatomy, pathophysiology, and imaging evaluation of patients with CPP suspected of having PeVD.

Keywords

pelvic venous disease - pelvic congestion - diagnostic imaging - interventional radiology


Publication History

Article published online:
03 June 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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