title: Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm: not a rare condition occurring after non-traumatic delivery or non-traumatic abortion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP) is considered a rare disorder after traumatic delivery or traumatic pregnancy termination such as cesarean section or dilatation and curettage, initially manifesting as genital hemorrhage. Our clinical impression contradicts these three assumptions; after traumatic delivery/termination, hemorrhage, and its rarity. Thus, we attempted to clarify these three issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed 22 UAP cases treated at our institute over a 6-year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm occurred in 2-3/1,000 deliveries. Of 22 cases, half occurred after non-traumatic deliveries or non-traumatic pregnancy termination. Fifty-five percent (12/22) showed no hemorrhage; ultrasound or color Doppler revealed UAP. Thus, half of UAP occurred after non-traumatic deliveries or non-traumatic pregnancy termination and showed no hemorrhage at the time of their diagnoses. All patients received transarterial embolization, which stopped blood flow into UAP or achieved hemostasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We must be aware that UAP may not be so rare and it may be present in patients after non-traumatic deliveries/pregnancy termination and without postpartum or postabortal hemorrhage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan.
authors.forename: Yosuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Baba
authors.forename: Shigeki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsubara
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuwata
authors.forename: Akihide
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ohkuchi
authors.forename: Rie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Usui
authors.forename: Miyuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saruyama
authors.forename: Manabu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakata
authors.forename: Mitsuaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055988:Uterine Artery; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult