Uterine arteriovenous malformation - Possible association to uterine fibroids?

A 32-year-old, gravida 2 para 0+1, was managed in Selayang Hospital, Selangor for uterine fibroids in pregnancy and placenta previa major. The lady went into preterm labour at 33 weeks, requiring emergency Caesarean section. Intraoperatively, we found a thinned-out bulge between the intramural uterine fibroids at the posterior uterine wall, which then perforated and was repaired. Persistent bleeding post operatively led to relaparotomy and hysterectomy. Histology of the uterus reported arteriovenous malformation (AVM). We postulate the possibility of these lesions coexisting with uterine fibroids. Screening for uterine AVMs in patients with fibroids may lead to early detection with option of embolization; deferring the need for hysterectomy.