The outcome of treatment for pelvic congestion syndrome

Pelvic congestion syndrome is one of many causes of chronic pelvic pain. It is generally accepted that this is attributable to ovarian and pelvic vein incompetence which may result in varices in the lower limb leading to presentation in varicose vein clinics. However, far more patients have pelvic varices associated with varicose veins in the lower limb than have pelvic congestion syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic venography are usually used in the diagnosis of this condition and criteria have been established to identify pelvic varices. Many different treatments have been used to manage the symptoms of pelvic congestion. Hysterectomy combined with oophrectomy, open surgical ligation of ovarian veins and laparoscopic vein ligation have been used in the past. The most common treatments used currently involve embolization of pelvic and ovarian veins. The results of this treatment have been published in a limited number of clinical series, usually with fairly short follow-up periods. These treatments may be complicated by migration of embolization of coils used to occlude veins. The longest duration of follow-up currently reported is five years. Limited clinical evidence supports the use of embolotherapy in the management of pelvic congestion syndrome.