Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm requiring embolization in pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract Background Uterine Artery Pseudoaneurysm is a rare cause of pelvic pain and haemorrhage in pregnancy. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pregnant women presenting with abdominal pain and is readily diagnosed by colour Doppler ultrasound. If left untreated, they may ble...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lilian Ugwumadu, Kevin Hayes, Anna-Maria Belli, Susan Heenan, Ian Loftus
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2018-11-01
Series:CVIR Endovascular
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42155-018-0040-2
Description
Summary:Abstract Background Uterine Artery Pseudoaneurysm is a rare cause of pelvic pain and haemorrhage in pregnancy. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pregnant women presenting with abdominal pain and is readily diagnosed by colour Doppler ultrasound. If left untreated, they may bleed into the peritoneum causing severe pain and haemorrhagic shock and may progress to maternal and fetal death. Case presentation We describe a case of a woman presenting with severe right iliac fossa pain at 26 weeks gestation attributed to a right uterine artery pseudoaneurysm diagnosed on duplex ultrasound which was successfully treated by uterine artery embolization at 28 weeks gestation without complication to the fetus. Conclusion Uterine artery embolization appears to be a safe and effective method to treat pseudoaneurysm during pregnancy without compromising uteroplacental perfusion.
ISSN:2520-8934