Management of uterine artery pseudoaneurysm: Advanced ultrasonography imaging and laparoscopic surgery as an alternative method to angio-computed tomography and transarterial embolization

Abstract

Uterine artery pseudoaneurysms (UAP) are rare but potentially life-threatening lesions. They may occur after traumatic deliveries, cesarean sections, and other interventions. We present a case of a 39-year-old woman with a UAP. The patient was accurately diagnosed using ultrasound imaging, with subsequent diagnostic hysteroscopy and laparoscopic excision of the UAP. In the present case, a ligation of the artery branch was performed to provide accurate hemostasis during UAP dissection. The vascular lesion was partially enucleated and removed, followed by recreation of the previous uterine shape. Power Doppler with HD flow and 3D ultrasound are accurate methods in the diagnosis of UAP. We are of the opinion that laparoscopic surgery can be on a par with transarterial embolization. During laparoscopy, the surgeon can either close the feeding vessel or remove the pathological tissue. In our opinion, this method solves the problem permanently and, after a successful case series with long-term follow-up, might be applied in other centers as well.