Embolisation of the Ovarian and Pelvic Veins

In some of our patients, we suggest this course of action to try to treat them. Using the neck approach as in the previous animation, the catheter can be positioned under X-ray control, into any of the veins that might be a problem.

In this case, the first X-ray (on the right) shows the catheter in the patient's left ovarian vein.

The contrast (the "dye" the X-ray can see) falls with the blood down the vein and into the Varicose veins of the pelvis - which lie around the ovaries, uterus, bladder and bowel.

These large varicose veins can be clearly seen on the X-ray.

The next picture (on the left) shows that the embolisation coils have been put in the ovarian vein - which is now blocked permanently.

The catheter has no been moved under x-ray guidance and has been positioned in the patient's right sided veins.

This picture actually shows that not only are the ovarian veins a problem in the patient, but the pelvic varicose veins are also coming from another vein - the Internal Iliac Vein on this side.

The final picture (on the right) shows three sets of embolisation coils - all completely and permanently blocking the veins that they are in.

Both ovarian veins are embolised, as is the patient's right internal iliac vein.

By stopping the blood refluxing (falling back down these veins), the pelvic varicose veins should shrink away over a few weeks.

Any vulval varicose veins should also shrink away - and any veins in the legs can now be treated with a lower chance of them coming back again in the future.

Any symptoms that have been due to the varicose veins in the pelvis (aching, heaviness etc) should slowly improve.

We perform a further trans-vaginal Duplex after 6 - 12 weeks to check whether the veins have been completely treated.

In about 1 in 10 patients, there might still be some reflux in one of the veins that might need one further embolisation attempt. However, as our experience has increased, this has become a less frequent occurrence and most patients have a complete cure on first embolisation.