Pelvic venous engorgement syndrome: a common but rarely diagnosed pathology. Literature review

Abstract

Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS): a common, but rarely diagnosed pathology. Literature review. Pelvic congestion syndrome is a one part of pelvic venous disorders characterized by chronic pelvic or lower abdominal pain caused by pelvic venous insufficiency or varicose veins. Simultaneously other gynecological (dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia), urinary tract (dysuria) and gastrointestinal (nausea, flatulence) symptoms often occur. Patients may also suffer from depression or fatigue. Foremost, it is important to rule out other diseases with the same symptoms. Ultrasound examination remains the first choice in the diagnosis of PCS, helping to differentiate the etiology of pelvic venous diseases, allowing to assess anatomy, valve function, and blood flow velocity. The gold standard for confirming the diagnosis is venography, during which endovascular treatment can be performed. The first-line treatment for PCS is pelvic vein embolization, which is a safe and effective minimally invasive procedure that eliminates the cause.