Women's Health Community

Dear PelvicPainStinks: Multiple literature searches at the National Library of Medicine site found only two citations about the need to repeat ovarian embolization. Here is the most recent:

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2008 Nov-Dec;31(6):1159-64. Epub 2008 Aug 28.
Pelvic vein embolisation in the management of varicose veins.
Ratnam LA, Marsh P, Holdstock JM, Harrison CS, Hussain FF, Whiteley MS, Lopez A.
Source

Department of Radiology, St. George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 0QT, UK.
Abstract

Pelvic vein incompetence is common in patients with atypical varicose veins, contributing to their recurrence after surgery. Therefore, refluxing pelvic veins should be identified and treated. We present our experience with pelvic vein embolisation in patients presenting with varicose veins. Patients presenting with varicose veins with a duplex-proven contribution from perivulval veins undergo transvaginal duplex sonography (TVUS) to identify refluxing pelvic veins. Those with positive scans undergo embolisation before surgical treatment of their lower limb varicose veins. A total of 218 women (mean age of 46.3 years) were treated. Parity was documented in the first 60 patients, of whom 47 (78.3%) were multiparous, 11 (18.3%) had had one previous pregnancy, and 2 (3.3%) were nulliparous. The left ovarian vein was embolised in 78%, the right internal iliac in 64.7%, the left internal iliac in 56.4%, and the right ovarian vein in 42.2% of patients. At follow-up TVUS, mild reflux only was seen in 16, marked persistent reflux in 6, and new reflux in 3 patients. These 9 women underwent successful repeat embolisation. Two patients experienced pulmonary embolisation of the coils, of whom 1 was asymptomatic and 1 was successfully retrieved; 1 patient had a misplaced coil protruding into the common femoral vein; and 1 patient had perineal thrombophlebitis. The results of our study showed that pelvic venous embolisation by way of a transjugular approach is a safe and effective technique in the treatment of pelvic vein reflux.

Hopefully one of our readers who has needed a repeat procedure--or who finally had relief after several menstrual cycles--will reply.

In Support,
Jane

Hello, I too just had this procedure done. I had to have over 10 coils places, and this is going on my fifth week and I am inn extreme pain, all the time and am at a loss of what to do. I have a huge bulge/swelling in the left side, and it swells so much that my skin turns all splotchy and red on that side. The doctor is saying that my only option is to remove the ovary, but since I am only 24 he doesn't want to do that and wants me to continue to wait this out. But I have a 2 year old daughter that I still cannot lift, or do the things I used to. I have been staying with ny parents since the procedure and I am just feeling hopeless and let down. The pain is unbearable... Even standing hurts, and causes major swelling. Last week they put me on a 5 day steroid pack and said to call back on the last day if things hadn't changed, this is the 4th day and there has been no change. Are there other options? Have you heard anything from your doctor? I am at the point now where I may be willing to have my ovary removed to alleviate the pain and get my life back. I will still have the other ovary, but I just don't know what to do. Any advice or related experience would help. Thanks so much.