Color Doppler sonographic features of uterine arteriovenous malformations: report of two cases

Abstract

We describe the color Doppler sonographic features of uterine arteriovenous malformations in two cases. In both cases color Doppler imaging demonstrated hypervascularity throughout the arteriovenous malformation. The dominance of pale shades during both systole and diastole represented low-impedance, high-velocity flow within the lesion and a colored mosaic pattern representing turbulent flow was noted. Spectral analysis of the vessels within the lesion confirmed high-velocity flow during both systole and diastole, and a low resistance index. The spectral waveform trace also showed spectral broadening consistent with turbulence and the spectral envelope was irregular. These findings indicated the presence of numerous arteriovenous shunts and marked turbulence within the arteriovenous malformation. Spectral analysis of the venous flow revealed high flow velocities and systolic velocity peaks similar to an arterial pattern. The uterine artery velocity waveforms were characterized by high flow velocity and a low resistance index. The diagnosis of uterine arteriovenous malformation was confirmed by histological examination in both cases. The findings of these two cases suggest that color Doppler sonography may play an important role in the diagnosis of uterine arteriovenous malformations.