Persistent vaginal discharge after uterine artery embolization for fibroid tumors: cause of the condition, magnetic resonance imaging appearance, and surgical treatment

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology Vol. 190; no. 5; pp. 1230 - 1233
• Main Authors: Walker, Woodruff J, Carpenter, Tyrone T, Kent, Andrew S.H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Mosby, Inc 01.05.2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease; Embolization, Therapeutic - adverse effects; Embolization, Therapeutic - methods; Female; Fibroid tumor; Follow-Up Studies; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Hysteroscopy - methods; Leiomyoma - diagnosis; Leiomyoma - therapy; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medical sciences; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Sampling Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Transcervical resection; Treatment Outcome; Uterine artery embolization; Uterine Neoplasms - diagnosis; Uterine Neoplasms - therapy; Uterus - blood supply; Vaginal discharge; Vaginal Discharge - diagnosis; Vaginal Discharge - etiology; Vaginal Discharge - surgery; Fibroid tumor; Transcervical resection; Vaginal discharge; Uterine artery embolization; Uterus tumor; Gynecology; Instrumentation therapy; Vaginal diseases; Fibroma; Uterine artery; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; Obstetrics; Female genital diseases; Leukorrhea; Fibroid tumor Uterine artery embolization Transcervical resection Vaginal discharge; Blood vessel; Surgery; Medical imagery; Embolization; Circulatory system; Benign neoplasm
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2003.12.010

The purpose of this study was to establish the cause of and treatment for chronic vaginal discharge after uterine artery embolization. This was a retrospective review of the diagnosis and treatment of the procedure at 3 months. In 94% of patients, the condition either completely resolved or diminished to a nonproblematic level. The persistent discharge in these patients was due to a superficial cavity within the infarcted fibroid tumor that was communicating with the endometrial cavity through a hole in the endometrium. This situation is indicated by a specific appearance on TII sagittal magnetic resonance images. Hysteroscopic resection of the necrotic fibroid tumor cavity was usually curative.