Transcatheter Ovarian Vein Embolization Using Coils for the Treatment of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

Se Hwan Kwon, Joo Hyeong Oh, Kyung Ran Ko, Ho Chul Park, Joo Yup Huh
In: CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology · 2007 · vol. 30(4) , pp. 655–661 · doi:10.1007/s00270-007-9040-7 · PMID:17468903 · W2117039516
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06+body, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

This study evaluated the effectiveness of ovarian vein embolization using coils for pelvic congestion syndrome, finding that 82% of patients experienced pain reduction and were satisfied with the procedure.

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This paper evaluated transcatheter ovarian vein embolization with coils in 67 multiparous women diagnosed with pelvic congestion syndrome, using medical record review and telephone interviews to compare pre- and post-procedure pelvic pain levels over follow-up intervals ranging from 3–6 months to 5–6 years. The main finding was that 82% (55/67) reported pain reduction and satisfaction without pursuing further treatment, while 18% (12/67) reported no change or worse pain, with 9 subsequently treated surgically and 3 remaining on continuous drug therapy. The authors’ approach relied on retrospective record and interview-based pain assessment and does not specify standardized pain measurement timing beyond the broad follow-up windows, which is a key limitation. This paper does not explicitly discuss endometriosis or adenomyosis; it was included in the corpus via a keyword match in the upstream search index.

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Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of ovarian vein embolization using coils for pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS), a common cause of chronic pelvic pain in multiparous women.

Methods

Between November 1998 and June 2005, 67 patients were diagnosed with PCS and underwent ovarian vein coil embolization. Through medical records and telephone interviews, the pre-embolization pain level and post-embolization pain control were assessed. In addition, in those cases where pain persisted after embolization or where patients were dissatisfied with the procedure, additional treatments and subsequent changes in pain scores were also analyzed. Evaluation after coil embolization was performed within 3–6 months (n = 3), 6 months to 1 year (n = 7), 1–2 years (n = 13), 2–3 years (n = 7), 3–4 years (n = 7), 4–5 years (n = 13), or 5–6 years (n = 17).

Results

Among a total of 67 patients, 82% (55/67) experienced pain reduction after coil embolization, were satisfied with the procedure, and did not pursue any further treatment. Twelve patients (18%, 12/67) responded that their pain level had not changed, or had become more severe. Among them, 9 patients were treated surgically and the remaining 3 patients remained under continuous drug therapy.

Conclusion

Ovarian vein embolization using coils is a safe and effective therapeutic method for treatment of PCS. It is thought that surgical treatment should be considered in cases where embolization proves ineffective. Similar content being viewed by others

References

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