Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration for Uterine Arteriovenous Malformation

Abstract

In Brief BACKGROUND: Transarterial embolization is an established treatment for uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM); however, in some cases, transarterial embolization is difficult. We present balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration as an alternative endovascular treatment for uterine AVM. CASE: A 24-year-old woman was diagnosed with uterine AVM. Her medical treatments were ineffective, and selective embolization was abandoned because of the extremely tortuous feeders. We used balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration, in which balloon catheters were inserted into the draining vein to stop the outflow. Then, a sclerosant was retrogradely injected through the catheter into the nidus. The abnormal vessels were fully obliterated, and there was no recurrence after the treatment. CONCLUSION: Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration may be an alternative treatment for uterine AVMs with adequate vascular structures. Uterine arteriovenous malformation is successfully treated by balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration, which may be an alternative treatment to preserve reproductive potential.