Objective: To study the effect of coil embolization of the insufficient ovarian vein (IOV) on varices of the lower limb (VLL).
Method: From December 2005 until May 2008, we selected all patients with phlebograms that were performed in our hospital to confirm the diagnosis of insufficiency of the ovarian vein. The CEAP (clinical, aetiological, anatomical and pathological elements) classification was used to classify the lower-limb venous disease in each patient. All patients with suspected IOV in combination with VLL underwent a phlebography. If IOV was found, coil embolization of the ovarian vein(s) was performed.
Results: IOV was found in 43 of 44 patients (98%). After coil embolization of the ovarian vein(s), VLL disappeared in five patients (12%) without any further treatment. Improvement in CEAP classification was measured in 13 patients (31%). In 21 (88%) of 24 patients with vulval varices, coil embolization of the ovarian vein(s) resulted in disappearance of vulval varices.
Conclusions: In only 31% of the patients with IOV in combination with VLL, phlebography and coil embolization of the ovarian vein(s) did improve CEAP classification. However, coil embolization of the ovarian vein resulted in disappearance of the vulval varices in 88% of the patients.
Keywords: coils; embolization; ovarian vein; varicose veins; vulval varices.