Pelvic congestion syndrome is an interdisciplinary issue

E.Yu. Antropova1, B.M. Sharafutdinov1,2, M.I. Mazitova1, E.A. Gaziev2, G.A. Khisamieva1, V.V. Shtern1 1Kazan State Medical Academy — Branch of the Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Kazan, Russian Federation 2Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, Russian Federation This paper discusses an essential interdisciplinary issue, pelvic congestion syndrome (PGS). PGS is a venous disorder with gonadal vein and/or pelvic venous plexus dilation that results in pelvic venous plethora. The authors address PGS prevalence, causes, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, major clinical manifestations, diagnostic tools, and treatment approaches. Pharmacotherapy (gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, danazol, combined oral contraceptives, progestins, phlebotonics, etc.) is the first-line treatment that provides only a temporary effect. Image-guided vascular surgery (embolization, stenting) is of particular importance among surgical interventions. Surgical technique and critical results of the studies on the efficacy of gonadal vein embolization (from 47% to 100%) are described. The paper details major complications of surgical interventions and highlights issues requiring further researches, i.e., the effects on female fertility, predicted f ull recovery considering compromised somatic and/or gynecological anamnesis. Finally, the importance of timely diagnosis, greater awareness of primary care physicians on the signs and symptoms of this disorder, and a need to refer these women to vascular surgeons are addressed. Keywords: pelvic congestion syndrome, gonadal vein embolization, pelvic pain, May–Thurner syndrome, nutcracker syndrome. For citation: Antropova E.Yu., Sharafutdinov B.M., Mazitova M.I. et al. Pelvic congestion syndrome is an interdisciplinary issue. Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2021;4(4):346–350 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2618-8430-2021-4-4-346-350.