OB/Gyn Grand Rounds: What Can
the Interventionalist Do for Your
Patients
Thea Moran, MD
Asst Professor
Louisiana State University
New Orleans, LA
Disclosures
• I have no disclosures to make
What can the IR do for the
OB/Gyn service?
•
•
•
•
•
•
1. Uterine fibroid embolization
2. Nonfibroid uterine artery embolization
3. Prepartum uterine artery embolization
4. Pelvic congestion syndrome
5. Fallopian tube recanalization
6. Endovenous ablation of varicose veins
1. Uterine fibroid embolization
• Fibroids, or leiomyomas, are benign smooth muscle tumors of the
uterus occurring in reproductive age women.
• Most common benign tumors of the female genital tract although
many are without symptoms
• Fibroids are most frequent in 30-40 year olds and involute after
menopause
• Goal of UFE is selective infarction of symptomatic fibroids
Symptoms
• Menstrual abnormalities
– Menorrhagia
• Most frequent indication
• Symptom most responsive
• DDX: adenomyosis, endometrial polyps, endometrial
hyperplasia, endometrial CA
– Menometrorrhagia
– Worsening of menstrual cramps
• Pressure symptoms
– Pressure sx related to the bladder, ureter, bowel, or nerves
– DDX: ovarian and abdominal masses, infection, endometriosis,
adenomyosis; fibroid torsion, degeneration or prolapse; PID,
endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic congestion syndrome,
GU/MSK/GI causes
Symptoms
•
•
•
•
Dyspareunia
Increasing pelvic or abdominal girth
Needed premyomectomy, hysterectomy for fibroids
Infertility or miscarriages with no other discernible cause
– Controversial
Contraindications
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Severe anaphylactoid reaction to contrast
Uncorrectable coagulopathy
Severe renal insufficiency
Pregnancy
Gynecological malignancy
Active pelvic infection/inflammatory disease
Prior pelvic radiation
Microvascular disease
Pedunculated or mucosal fibroids
– Expulsion, cervical impaction
Uterine artery anatomy
• First branch of anterior division
of internal iliac artery
• 3 segments
• Descending segment goes
along pelvic wall
• Transverse segment goes to
the midline
• Ascending segment along the
uterus
Uterine artery anatomy
• Cervicovaginal artery
• Perforating arteries, terminal
branches to the fallopian tubes
and ovaries
• Inferior vesicle artery has
common origin
• Can have completely or
partially absent uterine artery
which can be bilateral
Uterine artery anatomy
Ovarian artery anatomy
• 1 ovarian artery per ovary
• Originate from aorta a few cms
below renal artery origins
• 4% of women have ovaries
supplied 100% by the uterine
artery
– Nikhil C Patel,
Interventional Radiology
Secrets.
Ovarian artery anatomy
• 46% have uterine-ovarian
artery anastomoses *
• 5-10% have angio vis
anastomoses *
– Ovarian blush
– Avoid nontarget
embolization
• Normal diameter: 1 mm
• * Nikhil C Patel, Interventional
Radiology Secrets
Uterine-ovarian anastomosis
Preoperative work up
• History, pelvic exam, informed consent
• CBC, FSH (day 3), chem 7, PT/PTT/INR
• Pelvic US
– Usually for screening and sufficient
– Uterine and fibroid volumes, fibroid position
• Pelvic MRI
– Better definition of fibroids, uterus c/w US, evaluate for
adenomyosis and other pathology
– CE MRA help planning of UFE
• Demonstrates vascular supply to fibroids
• PAP smear
– R/o cervical CA
Preop work up
• Endometrial biopsy
– R/o endometrial cancer
– US and MRI can’t definitively evaluate endometrial thickness
– Intermenstrual or irregular bleeding, postmenopausal women
with vaginal bleeding
– All women over 40 yo with menorrhagia
• D/c GnRH analogues several weeks preop
– Fibroids enlarge
Patient consultation
• Does the patient desire future childbearing?
• Weigh treatment options
• Severity of symptoms severe enough physically and/or
psychologically to warrant invasive therapy especially since most
fibroids involute after menopause
Treatment options
• Medical
– NSAIDS, OCP
• Mild symptoms
– GnRH
• Moderate symptoms
• Decreases estrogen which causes fibroid degeneration after
3 months of therapy
• Noninvasive, short term relief of symptoms, good for
perimenopausal women, adjuvant therapy preoperatively
• Not to be given indefinitely
• Surgical
– Severe symptoms
– Open, laparoscopic or hysteroscopic techniques
• Hysterectomy
– Complete cure, r/o possibility of future neoplasm,
facilitates postmenopausal HRT, invasive
Treatments options
• Myomectomy
– Preserves uterus and future childbearing
– Bleeding c/o if multiple fibroids
– High recurrence rate (20-25%)
» Nikhil C Patel, Interventional Radiology Secrets.
• UFE
– Severe symptoms
– Uterus retained, all myoma treated at once, noninvasive
– Postembolization syndrome, potential for contrast reaction,
possibility of no symptom relieve and lack of comparative data
– No conclusive data on the effect of this treatment on fertility
Patient preparation
•
•
•
•
•
Usually needs at least a 23 hr admit
Serum pregnancy test
Foley catheter
Vigorous hydration
Prophylactic antibiotics
– Cefazolin 1 g; if PCN allergic – vancomycin 1 g IV
• Antiemetic and pain meds given
• PCA pump instructions given
• Have intraprocedural meds available
– Conscious sedation, toradol, zofran
Procedure
•
•
•
•
Both groins prepped with CFA access
Pelvic angiogram with catheter inferior to the renal artery
Selective uterine artery angiogram
Superselective angiogram with catheter tip in the transverse portion
of the uterine artery past the cervicovaginal branch
• Embolic agent injected
– Ivalon/PVA/Biospheres 700 um
– Inject until stasis w/o hypervascularity
– Avoid reflux, nontarget embolization
– Preserve flow in the main uterine and ovarian arteries
– +/- f/u with Gelfoam plug in uterine artery
• More consistently associated with preserved fertility
• Control angiogram
• Repeat procedure on opposite side followed by pelvic angiogram
Postprocedure management
• Pain management!
– Severe for 12-24 hrs with gradual decrease over 7 d
– Usually needs a PCA pump initially
– Antipyretics, antiinflammatory meds and antiemetics
• Vigorous hydration until po intake is adequate
• OK to d/c patient when po intake adequate and pain control via po
meds
– Nothing in vagina for 3 wks
– Call MD if F/C, foul smelling d/c, worsening pain, other signs of
infection
Results
•
•
•
•
•
•
Less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, fewer major complications
Technical success rate 98% *
90% need no further treatment *
85% improvement in bleeding symptoms *
90% improvement in mass effect symptoms *
40% decreased in fibroid and uterine size *
• * Nikhil C Patel, Interventional Radiology Secrets.
Complications
• Postembolization syndrome
– Most frequent complication (15-30%)
• Nikhil C Patel, Interventional Radiology Secrets.
– Pain, fever, N/V, malaise, leukocytosis
– Clinically differentiated from infection
• Infection: vaginal d/c or if fever, pain, malaise are progressive
– Broad spectrum antibiotics, blood cultures
– Acetominophen, hydration
• Ovarian failure
– >45 yrs
• Fibroid expulsion with vaginal impaction
– Submucosal fibroid
– May need D&C
Complications
• Inadvertent sarcoma embolization
– More likely to be incomplete infarction
• Tumor continues to grow
• No change in prognosis with 3-6 month delay
• Radiation risks are minimal
• PE, pain with rehospitalization, failure of procedure to correct sx
• Sepsis, severe ischemia, fibroid necrosis
– Most dreaded complication
– Persistent fever, progressive or unrelenting abdominal pain,
purulent d/c
– Risk of uterine rupture
– May need emergent hysterectomy
• Death
Postdischarge
• Percocet with toradol
– Analgesia, antiinflammatory, antipyretic
• Compazine
– Antiemetic
• Stool softener
– Analgesics constipate
• Serum FSH 3 days after 1st period
– If periods do not resume, random FSH
• GYN f/u
– 1-4 wks and 6 mos
• Pelvic US
– 3, 6 and 12 mos
• +/- f/u MRI at 6 mos
2. Nonfibroid UAE
• Pelvic angiogram with selective internal iliac artery angiogram pre
and post embolization
• Postop ie hysterectomy arterial bleeding
– Extravasation, pseudoaneurysm or AVF
– If localized - coil
• Postpartum and tumor bleeding
– Do not see extravasation or pseudoaneurysm
– Tumors may appear relatively avascular
• Particulates sized 3-500 um
– Uterine atony
• Gelfoam uterine arteries
3. Prepartum uterine artery
embolization
• Lessens blood loss in patients with placenta previa or accreta or an
atonic uterus
• Occlusion balloon catheters (Boston Scientific 8.5-11 mm) placed
into each internal iliac artery from each groin predelivery on the day
of the delivery
– Syringe with predetermined amount of saline attached
– Epidural placed beforehand
• Catheter length protruding outside of patient is marked
• Patient transferred to delivery room
• Infant delivered
• Balloons inflated
• Placenta delivered
4. Pelvic congestion syndrome
• Female equivalent of testicular varicocele
• Dilated gonadal and periuterine veins with symptoms
– Dyspareunia, menstrual abnormalities, vulvar varices, LE
varicose veins
– Sx worse late in the day, when upright, with sexual arousal and
during menstruation.
• Condition of childbearing age
• Reflux of blood into the gonadal veins
• More common on the left
• Predisposing conditions
– Prior pregnancy, nutcracker syndrome, tubal ligation, IUD
Indications
• Indications:
– Chronic pelvic symptoms with o/w negative w/u
– Pelvic varicosities with appropriate symptoms
– Lower extremity varicose veins recurrent immediately after
adequate surgical treatment
– Severe labial/perineal varicosities
• Contraindications:
– Severe anaphylactoid reaction to contrast
– Uncorrectable coagulopathy
– Severe renal insufficiency
– Phobia to medical implants
– Inadequately treated pelvic pain of other cause
Preprocedural preparation Assessment
• Detailed clinical assessment by gynecologist
• Diagnostic testing
– Diagnostic laparoscopy, pelvic US, CT and/or MRI
– Dilated gonadal and pelvic veins may be underestimated if
patient is supine
• Normal diameter of gonadal veins is <or= 5 mm
• Diameter can easily >10 mm when abnormal
• Clinical assessment by vascular specialist if varicose veins are the
1ary problem
Dilated gonadal vein
Dilated pelvic veins
Patient education
• Pelvic congestion syndrome is controversial
• Often see dilated veins in parous women w/o sx and no dilated veins
in women with sx
• Not all patients respond to embolization or may take up to 6 months
to respond
• Most women treated with embolization experience some relief if
rigorous clinical and imaging screening is employed
Gonadal vein anatomy
• L gonadal vein empties into
LRV
• R gonadal vein empties into
the IVC inferior to the RRV
• Many variations in anatomy
and confluences
• Ascend on psoas with ureters
and gonadal arteries
Alternative treatments
• Medical management
– GnRH analogs, birth control pills, pain medicines
• Surgical management
– Ligate ovarian veins via laparoscope
– Hysterectomy
Patient preparation
• Timing of the procedure with respect to menstrual or pain cycle is
unimportant
• Outpatient
• Informed consent
• Peripheral IV
• Conscious sedation
Invasive diagnostics
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Venography is the definitive diagnostic imaging modality
Jugular>femoral and basilic vein access
5-7 F sheath
Catheter into peripheral left renal vein
Table tilted upright to 45 degrees
Contrast hand injected
– Reflux, identify collaterals, renal vein pathology, variant anatomy
Positive study
– Patulous, easy to select vein orifices
– Retrograde flow into the pelvis and uterine plexus
– Slow contrast washout
Move to the opposite gonadal vein
If the ovarian venograms are negative - B internal iliac venograms
Control injection in the renal vein after embolization
Embolization
• Coils are the best known and most documented
– Embolize as distal as possible to within 2 cm from the renal vein
– Coils placed during Valsalva and are slightly larger than the
diameter of the gonadal vein
– Be aware of anatomic variants and collaterals
– Spasm, coil migration, vessel perforation
• Other possible agents
– Detachable balloons, glue, sotradecol, hot contrast
Postprocedure management
•
•
•
•
Observe at bed rest for >60 mins
Consider f/u CXR
D/c to responsible party
Acetominophen/codeine for 3 days enough
Results and complications
• Technical success up to 100% *
• 70-90% with some improvement *
• Postembolization syndrome in up to 90% *
– N/V, fever, pain
– Can be confused for infection
• Transient pelvic pressure or pain
– Pelvic venous thrombosis
• * Lindsay Machan, Handbook of Interventional Radiologic
Procedures, 3rd edition.
5. Fallopian tube recanalization
• Relieve obstruction(s) in the internal female reproductive tract
causing infertility.
• Infertility: inability to conceive after 1 yr of unprotected intercourse (6
mos if pt >35 yo).
– 15-20% of reproductive age couples *
– Female factors alone account for 35%; female with male factors
account for another 20% *
• 20-40% of female infertility due to fallopian tube disease
– Lindsay Machan, Handbook of Interventional Radiologic
Procedures, 3rd edition.
• Supported by the American Fertility Society
– 1st line treatment in patients with confirmed proximal tubal
obstruction
• Amy S Thurmond, RadioGraphics 2000;20:1759-176.
• * Elizabeth E Puscheck, emedicine: Infertility.
Indications
• Proximal unilateral or bilateral fallopian tube occlusion confirmed by
HSG, selective salpingography or laparoscopy
– Needs evaluation by infertility specialists and gynecologist
• Reocclusion after surgical reversal of tubal ligation
Contraindications
• Active PID
• Severe tubal or peritubal pathology not amenable to laparoscopic or
open repair
• Severe uterine deformity or large masses making catheterization
difficult
• Distal tubal occlusion
• Intrauterine adhesions (severe)
• Severe anaphylactoid reactions to contrast media
Preprocedure evaluation by IR
• Review imaging/surgical studies
• Patient education
– Patient’s partner present
– R/o other contributing male or female factors
– State procedure is nonoperative alternative or adjunct to surgery
or assisted fertility procedures
– Discuss possible procedural complications ie tubal perforation,
infection
– F/u after missed period or positive pregnancy test
• Ectopic pregnancy risk
Alternative treatments
• Microsurgery
– Has been the treatment of choice for tubal occlusion
– High cost and morbidity
• In vitro fertilization
– High cost, time consuming
– Pregnancy rate 10-15%
• Amy S Thurmond, RadioGraphics 2000;20:1759-176.
Patient preparation
• Schedule as outpatient during the follicular phase
– After1st 3-5 days after bleeding has stopped
• Avoids refluxing blood into the tubes or peritoneum
– Before day 14 of her cycle
• Ensures patient is not pregnant
• Doxycycline 100 mg BID started 1-2 days prior and continued
for 5 days after the procedure
• Informed consent
• Peripheral IV
• Conscious sedation
– Atropine 0.5 mg IM optional to prevent vasovagal sx
Procedure
•
•
•
•
•
Lithotomy position with pelvis elevated
Sterilely prepare the perineum
Insert speculum and clean the cervix
HSG with H2O soluble contrast
Positive HSG
– 5 F catheter selects the occluded ostium
– Contrast injected through the introducing catheter
• May be enough to restore patency
Procedure
• Proximal tubal occlusion further confirmed
– 3 F catheter inserted coaxially through the 5 F catheter and
obstruction is probed with an 0.018 wire
• 3 F catheter advanced over the wire through the obstruction
• Inject to confirm distal tube patency
• If patency restored, remove 3 F system and inject through 5 F
catheter to confirm patency
• Manipulations are then done on the opposite side if appropriate
• Final HSG through 5 F catheter with tip in the uterus
– If the 1st tube opened is not patent, probably spasm, not
indication to reopen
• Average radiation dose to ovaries same as for a BE or IVP
Steps in salpingography and fallopian tube
recanalization courtesy of
Imaging.consult.com (2008 Elsevier).
Steps in salpingography and fallopian tube
recanalization courtesy of
Imaging.consult.com (2008 Elsevier).
Postprocedure management
•
•
•
•
•
Observe for 60 mins
Vaginal cramping and spotting for 1-2 d
Avoid intercourse for 1 day
Use pads for the next cycle
Consult infertility specialist for treatment of other infertility d/o
Tubal patency results
• Tubal patency results
– Technical success in 71%-92%
• Amy S Thurmond, RadioGraphics 2000;20:1759-176.
– Up to 100% success in idiopathic proximal tubal obstruction *
– 44-77% success in occluded tubes after tubal ligation *
– 77-82% success with SIN but technically more difficult *
• Pregnancy results
– Variable
– Average reported pregnancy rate is 30% (9-47%) *
• Reflects other factors contributing to infertility ie associated
distal tubal disease, d/o of ovulation or sperm production
• Most occur within the 1st 6 mos
• Compare favorably with those of microsurgery
• * Lindsay Machan, Handbook of Interventional Radiologic
Procedures, 3rd edition.
Complications and Follow Up
• Complications
– Tubal perforation – 2% *
• Usually those with h/o proximal tubal surgery or severe SIN
• No clinical sequelae
– Ectopic pregnancy 1-5% *
– Pelvic infection
– Radiation exposure
• Follow up
– Reevaluation and reopening if not pregnant by 6 mos
• 25% of reopened tubes reocclude by this time *
• * Lindsay Machan, Handbook of Interventional Radiologic
Procedures, 3rd edition.
6. Endovenous ablation of varicose
veins
• In 1994, half the adult population had minor stigmata of venous
disease with 50-55% being women and fewer than half of the adult
population have visible varicose veins with 20-25% of these being
women
– Wesley K Law et al, emedicine: Varicose Veins.
• Risk factors: heredity, h/o DVT, female, parity, standing, hormones,
aging, obesity, constipation, leg trauma
• Sx: swelling, pain, cramps, fatigue, heaviness
• Can progress to pigmentation changes, dermatitis and/or venous
hypertension
• Indications for treatment: cosmesis, aching, leg heaviness or fatigue,
superficial thrombophlebitis, external bleeding, edema, skin changes
• Result from valvular incompetence
– Valvular incompetence cannot be reversed
– Best treatments: control sx or remove the veins
Greater (L) and lesser ®
saphenous veins
Treatment options
• Conservative treatment: compression stockings, avoid standing,
exercise
• Surgery is the traditional tx
– Ligation/stripping
• Best known
– Stab phlebectomy
– Endoscopic powered phlebectomy or perforator ligation
– Valvuloplasty, valve transplantation or transposition
• Transcutaneous laser and high intensity pulsed light
– Superficial telangiectasias
• Percutaneous options
– Endovenous ablation and US guided sclerotherapy
Endovenous ablation
• Thermal energy causes contraction of vessel wall collagen and/or
fibrotic obliteration of the vessel lumen
• Laser and RFA are thermal modalities
• Goals: eliminate highest point of reflux, ablate incompetent venous
segment
• Contraindications: arterial disease, infection, active venous
ulceration, central venous obstruction, hypercoagulable syndromes,
occluded/absent deep veins, lymphedema, nonambulatory patient,
poor general health, venous thromboembolism
• Greater saphenous vein is vein most often treated
• Careful patient selection and evaluation needed
• Preprocedure US
• Superficial varicosites mapped
– Patency/competency of the GSV, LSV, major superficial
draining veins, perforators, deep venous system
Procedure
• GSV accessed at the knee
• Long vascular sheath advanced to the saphenofemoral junction
• Tumescent anesthesia
– Dilute (0.25-0.5%) lidocaine along GSV course in the fascial
sheath
• Ablation device through sheath until below saphenofemoral junction
with device protruding out the end of the sheath 2 cm below SFJ
• Device withdrawn through vein from SFJ to access site
– Laser
• Thin optical fiber causes steam bubbles which indirectly
causes vein injury
• Various laser energies available
• Sheath and fiber pulled back at an average rate of 2 mm/s to
deliver 70 J/cm
Procedure
• Average length of time to treat 45 cm vein segment using
810 nm laser: 3-5 min; 7.5 mins for 1320 nm laser *
– RFA
• Electrodes through catheter directly contact the vein wall and
heat the vein to 85-90 degrees
• Impedance and hence maintenance of temperature, dictates
how rapidly the catheter is withdrawn
• Average length of time to treat 45 cm vein segment: 18-24
mins *
• Ablation device turned off before removing through skin
• * http://www.closurefast.com/howitworks/
Postprocedure management
• Compression stockings (30-40 mm Hg) for 1 wk
• Immediate ambulation, avoid vigorous activity
• US at 3-7 d
– Confirms closed vein
• US at 4-6 wks
– Clinical and sonographic resolution
– Residual venous tributaries treated with sclerotherapy
Results and complications
• Initial closure successful in 95-100%
– Steven E Zimmel et al, emedicine: Varicose Vein Treatment with
Endovenous Laser Therapy.
• Initial closure successful in 83.5-88.2 % of RFA patients with the
initial VNUS Closure system *
• Initial closure successful in 100% of RFA patients with
VNUSClosureFAST system *
– Has shortened RFA procedure time to that comparable to laser
• * Helane S. Fronek, The Fundamentals of Phlebology: Venous
Disease for Clinicians, 2nd edition.
Complications
• Symptoms post tx:
– Common
– Access site bruising, moderate LE discomfort, tightness/pulling
peaking in 5-7 d
– Resolves in 1-3 wks
• Complications:
– Overall rare
– Superficial thrombophlebitis, nerve injury, burns, DVT
Sclerotherapy
• Telangiectasias, reticular veins and varicosities
• Follow up to invasive venous therapy
• Contraindications: unable to ambulate, at risk for or concurrently
have a DVT, hypercoagulable states, allergic reaction to
sclerosants, difficulty ambulating, deep venous outflow obstruction,
severe systemic illness, peripheral arterial insufficiency
• Small syringe injects 0.5-1 cc sclerosant via 25 G needle
• Agents: hypertonics or osmotics, detergents and toxins
– Sodium tetradecyl sulfate is the most common agent in the US
– Foamed detergents: easier US vis, less dilution, lower
concentration, fewer side effects
• Compression stockings (20-40 mm Hg) for 3-14 d, low level lower
extremity exercise
• Potential complications: swelling, pain, hyperpigmentation, DVT,
thrombophlebitis skin necrosis, nerve injury and anaphylaxis