Anastomoses of the ovarian and uterine arteries: a potential pitfall and cause of failure of uterine embolization.
Four women with symptomatic uterine fibroids were treated by uterine artery embolization (UAE). In all cases both uterine arteries were embolized via a single femoral puncture with polyvinyl alcohol using a selective catheter technique. In three cases, the ovarian artery was not visible on the initial angiogram before embolization, but appeared after the second uterine artery had been treated. In one case of clinical failure following UAE, a repeat angiogram demonstrated filling of the fibroids from the ovarian artery. Anastomoses between uterine and ovarian arteries may cause problems for radiologists performing UAE and are a potential cause of treatment failure.
Matson
M
M
Department of Radiology, St. George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London, SW17 OQT, UK. m.matson@bigfoot.com
Nicholson
A
A
Belli
A M
AM
D000328:Adult; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply*; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000628:therapy*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*
D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol