Initial experience with ovarian vein embolization for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

BACKGROUND Ovarian vein embolization was recently suggested as the preferred treatment for chronic pelvic pain syndrome. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the technical feasibility, complications and early clinical and radiographic results of ovarian vein embolization in women with pelvic pain syndrome. METHODS Percutaneous transcatheter ovarian vein embolization with coils was performed in six patients aged 27-53 years who presented with pelvic pain syndrome. All had lower abdominal pain, and pelvic varicosities were found on Doppler ultrasound and retrograde ovarian vein venography. Embolization was done unilaterally in three patients (on the left side) and bilaterally in three. Mean follow-up by telephone questionnaire was 7.3 months. RESULTS The procedure was technically successful in all patients. Two patients reported partial relief of symptoms (33.3%) and three had complete relief (50%), for a total of 5 patients (83.3%) with some measure of improvement. There were no complications following the procedure. CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous transcatheter ovarian vein embolization seems to be safe and feasible for the treatment of pelvic pain syndrome. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and is well tolerated by patients.