The Transbrachial Venous Approach for Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Embolization: An Easy Way to Outpatient Procedure

Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is a frequent finding in adult women and transcatheter embolization of dilated and refluxing veins is the treatment of choice. The procedure can be performed through different venous accesses such as the transfemoral, transjugular, and the transbrachial access. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of the transbrachial approach for transcatheter embolization in this pathology in 201 women. Advantages and disadvantages of this access were discussed.

Between January 2007 and October 2020, female patients who underwent transcatheter embolization for PCS were selected. Embolization procedural details such as venous access sites and embolized veins were collected.

Two hundred and one patients were selected for pelvic vein embolization due to PCS. The basilic vein was punctured in 103 patients (51.2%), the cephalic vein was chosen in 76 patients (37.8%) and deep brachial veins in 19 (9.6%). Technical success was observed in 198 (98.5%) cases. Only one major adverse effect was registered; one patient presented with hematoma of the arm that could be managed conservatively.

The transbrachial venous approach for PCS embolization is safe, effective and minimal invasive. It provides a significant patient comfort, has a low complication rate and can be performed on an outpatient basis.