Pelvic Congestion/Varicoceles
Both Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS) and Varicoceles involve enlarged veins in the pelvis causing pain. PCS occurs in the pelvis in women; whereas Varicoceles affect men in the scrotum..
PELVIC CONGESTION SYNDROME IN WOMEN
What is pelvic congestion syndrome?
In women, pelvic congestion syndrome is a medical condition that causes chronic pelvic pain. The condition is thought to be due to problems with the enlarged veins in the low belly or pelvic area.
Who is at risk?
Women of childbearing age who have had more than one pregnancy may have the highest risk of pelvic congestion syndrome.
What are the symptoms?
Pain during and following sexual intercourse is one of the hallmarks of the disease. Additionally, many women suffer from menstrual pain.
Embolization for Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
Our team performs an office-based minimally invasive procedure called Embolization. The technique allows the physician to block, or embolize, the faulty vein by using X-ray to guide a catheter through the venous system.
Once the vein is blocked, the damaged vein is shut off and the blood flow is redirected to the surrounding, healthier veins. Pressure is eased on the varicocele, restoring normal function and decreasing pain.
Procedure
The procedure usually lasts about 45 minutes with a one hour recovery. Patients can return home on the same day.
Recovery
Patients can be moderately active immediately after the procedure and return to full activity after 7 days.
VARICOCELES IN MEN
What is a varicocele?
In men, a varicocele is an enlarged vein in the scrotum next to the testicle. Varicocele is similar to varicose veins in the leg. Varicocele is a very common condition that affects 15% of men.
What causes varicocele?
Veins have valves which help blood circulate through the body and back to the heart. When the valves in the vein are weak or don’t work properly, blood pools in the vein and causes the vein to enlarge.
What are the symptoms of varicocele?
Varicoceles can cause discomfort in the scrotum often described as heaviness or dragging sensation. Pain may feel congestive or “like a toothache”. The pain is generally mild to moderate. Discomfort gets worse with long periods of sitting, standing or physical activity. The pain is typically relieved by lying down.
In boys, varicocele can slow normal testicle growth.
With time, varicoceles may enlarge and become more noticeable.
Varicocele can impair sperm production and cause infertility. Men trying to start a family or men who may want to start a family in the future, may benefit from varicocele treatment.
How is varicocele diagnosed?
Diagnosis of a varicocele starts with a medical history and physical exam. Examination may be performed laying down and standing without and with bearing down.
Scrotal ultrasound may be used to evaluate the testicles, the glands on top of the testicles (epididymis) and assess the presence and size of varicocele. Blood work may be drawn to look at hormone levels and other factors that can affect sperm production. Semen analysis may be used to evaluate sperm count and quality.
What are treatment options for varicocele?
Surgery
Inguinal (groin) without or with microscope
Laparoscopic
Embolization
Varicocele embolization
The procedure takes place in an outpatient setting in our Interventional Radiology suite. This is in an office setting and does not require hospitalization. Embolization is performed with local anesthesia and sedation (“twilight sleep”).
The Interventional Radiologist makes a small cut in the groin to insert a tiny tube called a catheter into the femoral vein. (Alternatively the neck can be used as well.) Moving x-ray called fluoroscopy is used to guide the procedure. The catheter is guided into the testicular vein.
Once in the testicular vein, x-ray dye called “contrast” is injected to map out the problem area. Coils or particles are used to block or “embolize” the varicocele.
Once the vein is blocked, the damaged vein is shut off and the blood flow is redirected to the surrounding healthier veins. Pressure decreases in the varicocele which helps restore normal function and ease pain.
Advantages of Varicocele Embolization
Using precision relief mapping combined with an angiogram enables us to develop a detailed map of the blood vessels feeding your prostate. By pinpointing the exact arteries that supply blood to the enlarged prostate, we can accurately target these vessels during Prostate Artery Embolization. This customized method ensures that the embolization is specifically adapted to your individual anatomy, optimizing relief while minimizing the need for extensive intervention.
Office based and minimally invasive
Home in the same day
Quicker recovery times
Very low complication risks
No general anesthesia needed
Our Simple Process
Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm EST
