Use of Intrauterine Balloon Tamponade Test to Determine the Feasibility of Dilation and Evacuation as a Treatment for Early Uterine Artery Pseudoaneurysm

Abstract

Uterine artery embolization is the most common treatment for uterine vascular abnormalities. Herein, we report the successful use of dilation and evacuation as a treatment for uterine artery pseudoaneurysm. A 36-year-old woman complained of vaginal bleeding after an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Ultrasonography showed a 12.8-mm anechoic area inside the uterus. Color Doppler revealed a to-and-fro sign, indicating an arteriovenous malformation. A blood test showed a low level of human chorionic gonadotropin. Therefore, a diagnosis of early uterine artery pseudoaneurysm following spontaneous delivery was suspected. Under monitoring with transabdominal color Doppler sonography, intrauterine balloon tamponade induced complete disappearance of abnormal blood flow. With bleeding determined to be under control with balloon tamponade, dilation and evacuation was performed. The patient had a favorable postoperative course.

Keywords

• dilation and evacuation
• intrauterine balloon tamponade test
• uterine artery pseudoaneurysm
• uterine vascular abnormality