Acquired Uterine Vascular Malformation: Clinical Outcome of Transarterial Embolization

Purpose To evaluate clinical outcomes of transarterial embolization of bilateral uterine arteries (UAE) in patients with acquired uterine vascular malformation (UVM). Materials and Methods This retrospective study was performed on the medical records of all 19 patients who underwent transarterial embolization of bilateral UAE for the treatment of symptomatic UVMs from January 2003 to June 2011. Embolization was performed via the unilateral femoral artery approach with a catheter and angiographic techniques. Clinical success was defined as definitive resolution of abnormal vaginal bleeding. Post-procedural complications included all adverse events related to the embolization procedure. Results A total of 20 procedures were performed in 19 patients. One patient required repeat embolization because of incomplete embolization related to prominent high flow malformation. Clinically, in all patients, bleeding was controlled immediately after embolization. No complications occurred in all patients during the follow up period. In all patients who underwent successful UAE, menstrual cycles were normally restored within 1–2 months. Normal pregnancy with term delivery was observed in two of the 19 cases. Conclusion Transarterial bilateral UAE is a safe and effective treatment in patients with vaginal bleeding caused by acquired UVM, and it allows the possibility of future pregnancy.