About uterine enhanced myometrial vascularity: Doppler ultrasound could reduce misdiagnosed life-threatening vaginal bleeding after pregnancy and guide the management

J Ultrasound. 2023 Sep;26(3):695-701. doi: 10.1007/s40477-022-00734-8. Epub 2022 Oct 25.

Abstract

Enhanced myometrial vascularity is a rare entity in which an abnormal communication between vessels of the myometrial wall, potentially derived from all pregnancies, increases bleeding risk. Spontaneous regression is possible, but often, it is not foreseeable in which cases it's better to adopt a waiting behaviour and in which others a treatment is required. We reported three cases of enhanced myometrial vascularity: two occurring after vaginal delivery, and the third one after a scar pregnancy. The first case was successfully treated by embolization, the second one was subjected to curettage complicated by uterine perforation; the third one underwent embolization as well, but subsequently required hysterctomy for persistent methrorragia. As we treated these similar cases in three different ways, we decided to perform a mini review of the literature in the aftermath. Considering literature data, we strongly believe that the detection of peak systolic speed by colour-Doppler ultrasound together with a careful evaluation of clinical symptoms, could be a good guide to the best treatment of each patient.

Keywords: Acquired arteriovenous malformations; Colour Doppler; Enhanced myometrial vascularity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnostic Errors / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Myometrium* / diagnostic imaging
  • Pregnancy
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler
  • Uterine Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging
  • Uterine Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Uterine Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Uterus* / diagnostic imaging