Embolization of bleeding residual uterine vascular malformations in patients with treated gestational trophoblastic tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively evaluate embolotherapy of bleeding residual uterine vascular malformations in patients with gestational trophoblastic tumors.


METHODS
Fourteen patients were treated over the past 20 years. Embolizations were performed with a common femoral artery approach. Duplex ultrasonography was performed before and after embolization to document the uterine vascularity. The technique and materials used for each embolization, control of hemorrhage, need for repeat embolization, complications, and outcome of subsequent pregnancies were assessed.


RESULTS
Hemorrhage was controlled in 11 of the 14 patients; two patients required hysterectomy and one required uterine artery ligation for failure to control hemorrhage after initial embolization. Six patients required repeat embolization for recurrence of bleeding. Therapeutic benefit and success were associated with the ability to selectively embolize the uterine artery and to achieve a greater than 80% reduction in vascular malformation size. Pulsatility indexes of the uterine arteries and endometrial encroachment were not predictive of recurrent hemorrhage. Two patients delivered a total of three full-term infants, one patient experienced a miscarriage, and another experienced a termination of pregnancy following embolotherapy. Pain requiring opiate analgesia was a frequent complication of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Selective uterine artery embolization is a safe and effective treatment for severe bleeding from residual uterine vascular malformations in patients with treated gestational trophoblastic tumors.
Lim
Adrian K P
AK
Department of Imaging, Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Rd, London W6 8RF, England.
Agarwal
Roshan
R
Seckl
Michael J
MJ
Newlands
Edward S
ES
Barrett
Nigel K
NK
Mitchell
Adam W M
AW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012008:Recurrence; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014328:Trophoblastic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*