Management of vascular uterine lesions associated with persistent low-level human chorionic gonadotrophin.
METHODS
Vascular lesions of the uterus are rare but pose difficult management decisions. We reviewed the cases of four patients who presented with vascular uterine lesions following early pregnancy loss at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK in 2006.


RESULTS
All four patients had signs on colour Doppler imaging consistent with arteriovenous malformations and elevated serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) levels. In each case, once the hCG level had returned to normal the uterine lesions resolved. The first case required therapeutic embolisation but the subsequent patients were successfully managed conservatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Most uterine vascular lesions are attributed to arteriovenous malformations but those associated with pregnancy represent subinvolution of the placental bed and can be managed conservatively with monitoring of hCG concentrations.
Darlow
Kate L
KL
Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. katedarlow@doctors.org.uk
Horne
Andrew W
AW
Critchley
Hilary O D
HO
Walker
Jane
J
Duncan
W Colin
WC
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000032:analysis*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin