Cervical varix as a cause of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy: prenatal diagnosis by color Doppler ultrasonography

J Ultrasound Med. 2006 Apr;25(4):545-9. doi: 10.7863/jum.2006.25.4.545.

Abstract

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcome. Beyond 20 weeks of gestation, the most frequent causes of bleeding associated with maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality are placenta previa and placental abruption. Cervical varix during pregnancy is a rare condition. To our knowledge, only six cases have been reported in the literature. Most of these cases were associated with preterm birth and high maternal morbidity. The optimal management and mode of delivery remain undetermined. We report a case of cervical varix diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound at 21 weeks of gestation. The pregnancy was complicated by several episodes of vaginal bleeding and the patient delivered at 32 weeks. Color and power Doppler examination of the cervix played a key role in establishing the diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Cervix Uteri / blood supply*
  • Cervix Uteri / diagnostic imaging*
  • Echocardiography, Doppler, Color*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Rare Diseases / complications
  • Rare Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal*
  • Uterine Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging*
  • Uterine Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Varicose Veins / complications
  • Varicose Veins / diagnostic imaging*