title: Utero-ovarian varices and absent inferior vena cava in pregnancy.
abstract: Extensively distended and tortuous vessels on both sides of the uterus are rare incidental findings on transvaginal sonography in early pregnancy. A 31-year-old woman with a history of surgical repair for congenital intestinal stenosis was noted to have utero-ovarian varices on a transvaginal ultrasound examination during her first prenatal visit at 6 weeks' gestation. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed dilated ovarian veins along with infrarenal absence of inferior vena cava as well as the absence of external and common iliac veins. Despite concerns regarding spontaneous utero-ovarian vessels rupture, her antenatal course was uneventful. A vaginal delivery was successfully achieved without any postpartum complication. We also demonstrated an intraoperative view of the utero-ovarian vessels during cesarean section in her subsequent pregnancy. Absence of inferior vena cava and pelvic varices can occur in women with a history of neonatal surgery. Although the risk of utero-ovarian varices rupture remains unclear, vaginal delivery may be safely achieved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Etsuko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kawata
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kondoh
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawasaki
authors.forename: Tsukasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baba
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.forename: Aki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kido
authors.forename: Ikuo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Konishi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D054079:Vascular Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology
keywords: absent inferior vena cava; magnetic resonance imaging; mode of delivery; pregnancy; utero-ovarian varices