[Successful management of an acquired uterine arteriovenous malformation by selective ligation of the internal iliac artery]

Abstract

Uterine arteriovenous malformations can be congenital or acquired. When acquired, they result from abnormal arteriovenous communication between one or more uterine arteries and a myometrial and/or endometrial venous plexus, without the interposition of a vascular nidus. Arteriovenous malformations are composed of a tortuous net of fragile low-resistant arteriovenous shunts. Uterine arteriovenous malformations create a rare and potentially life-threatening condition. The method of treatment is determined by symptoms, desire for future fertility, extent, and location of the malformation. The first treatment option for uterine arteriovenous malformation is hysterectomy, and the second option is uterine artery embolization. Selective ligation of the vessels supplying the malformation is an effective treatment option when conservative methods have failed. The present report describes a patient whose uterine arteriovenous malformation was successfully managed by selective ligation of the internal iliac artery.

Keywords: Arterial ligation; Embolisation; Embolization; Hysterectomy; Hystérectomie; Ligature artérielle; Malformation artérioveineuse utérine; Uterine arteriovenous malformation.