Volume 7 • Issue 2 • 1000295
Short Communication Open Access
OMICS Journal of Radiology
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ISSN: 2167-7964
Aidara et al., OMICS J Radiol 2018, 7:2
DOI: 10.4172/2167-7964.1000295
OMICS J Radiol, an open access journal
ISSN: 2167-7964
*Corresponding author: Cherif Mohamadou Aidara, Department of Radiology,
Fann University Hospital, Cheikh Anta Diop Street, BP 5035 Dakar-Fann, Senegal,
Tel: 00221763110301; Email: matoouz@gmail.com
Received February 28, 2018; Accepted March 24, 2018; Published March 30, 2018
Citation: Aidara CM, Diop AD, Ahmed K, Diouf AA, Diallo M, et al. (2018)
Postpartum Ovarian Vein Thrombosis (POVT): A Short Focus Update. OMICS J
Radiol 7: 295. doi: 10.4172/2167-7964.1000295
Copyright: © 2018 Aidara CM, et al. This is an open-access article distributed
under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the
original author and source are credited.
Postpartum Ovarian Vein Thrombosis (POVT): A Short Focus Update
Aidara CM
1*
, Diop AD
1
, Ahmed K
2
, Diouf AA
2
, Diallo M
2
, Diop AN
1
, Diop SB
1
and Niang EH
1
1
Department of Radiology, Fann University Hospital, Cheikh Anta Diop Street, BP 5035 Dakar-Fann, Senegal
2
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Pikine University Hospital, Near Military Camp of Thiaroye, Dakar, Senegal
Postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis is a rare condition but claims
special attention because of its potentially serious complications. It
occurs 0.05% to 1.8% of vaginal deliveries and 1 to 2% of cesareans. Te
right side is reached in 80 to 90% of cases [1-3].
Te ovarian vein is organized into the ovarian venous plexus that
collects in a single vein. It increases in diameter signifcantly during
pregnancy from 9 to 27 mm. It travels in the retroperitoneal space and
joins the renal vein on the right side and the inferior vena cava on the
lef side. Te proximity of the ureter explains possibility of compression
in case of thrombosis [4]. In addition to thrombophilia factor during
peripartum period, septic conditions must be added as an endometritis
that justifes routine antibiotic therapy in this condition. However,
ovarian vein thrombosis can be observed in neoplasia or infections [3].
Teh et al. reported an observation of ovarian vein thrombosis due to
Campylobacter fetus bacteremia [5].
Intense low pelvic pain and fever are most ofen the complaints
of patients sufering from POVT. But it may be asymptomatic or
even rapidly fatal. Others diagnosis are possible such as appendicitis
or intestinal infammation. Leukocytosis, elevation of CRP rate is
classical. Increase rate of D-dimers is nonspecifc in this period. Search
for thrombophilia factor seems useless [6].
Tis classical manifestation of intense and feverish pelvic pain
requires exploration in imaging to rule out other causes of acute
infammatory abdomen and avoid an unnecessary surgery [1,7,8].
Imaging (ultrasound, CT and MRI) typically shows a tortuous and
latero-uterine formation, containing a thinly hypoechoic material in
the ultrasound examination (Figure 1) or dense intravascular material
in the CT (Figures 2 and 3). It continuous in the retro peritoneum space
(Figures 1 and 2). Sometimes there is a pseudo latero-uterine mass due
to thrombosis in the pampiniform plexus (Figure 1). Possible ureteral
compression and hydronephrosis should be appreciated (Figure 2).
CT is the most routinely examination because of its availability and
accessibility. It is an essential tool in abdominal emergency imaging.
CT and ultrasound have a sensitivity and specifcity up to 95% and 50%
respectively. But MRI seems more specifc and should be reserved in
case of doubt [7-9].
POVT is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. Its potential
complications are essentially [9,10]:
i. Pulmonary embolic migration which occurs in 13% with a
mortality of about 4 to 5%,
ii. Te extension of thrombosis to the inferior vena cava and renal
veins. Involvement of the renal vein may be revealed by a fank
pain, hematuria, proteinuria, transient renal failure,
iii. Septic dissemination,
iv. Ureteral compression.
Treatment is mainly based on curative anticoagulation and
antibiotic therapy [3 Xavier]. Tere is no consensus on the duration. Te
prognosis of this condition seems good throughout the literature and
related mainly to embolic pulmonary migration. In case of no response
to treatment, flter placement in the lower vena cava or thrombectomy
with hysterectomy is discussed on a case by case basis [7].
Confict of Interest
No
Figure 1: Ultrasound parasagittal pelvic section scan showing a tortuous
tubular structure with a thinly hypoechoic content (triangle) and going back to
the right retroperitoneum indicating thrombosis of the right ovarian vein.