Female patient faces risk of hysterectomy due to rare disease

DNVN - With prolonged vaginal bleeding, Ms. V (35 years old) did not expect that she had a rare disease: uterine arteriovenous fistula. This is a type of blood vessel abnormality that can threaten fertility and life if not treated promptly.

Just one month after a miscarriage at 20 weeks, Ms. KV (35 years old) was suddenly hospitalized at the Family Hospital ( Da Nang ) due to massive vaginal bleeding, bright red in color, accompanied by small blood clots. Although she had no fever or severe abdominal pain, she was constantly exhausted, dizzy and lightheaded.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Huyen My examined Ms. V before discharge.

After examination, the doctors conducted an HCG test to rule out the possibility of remaining fetal tissue or trophoblastic disease. The results of the transvaginal ultrasound showed that the uterine cavity was clean, with no signs of placental tissue.

However, another abnormality was discovered: a complex tubular structure in the uterine muscle with turbulent, high-velocity flow, which was a sign of suspected uterine arteriovenous fistula. To determine the exact cause, the patient was ordered a contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scan. The results showed an arteriovenous fistula located in the uterine body, measuring approximately 4.5 x 4.7 cm.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Loan - Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Family Hospital, uterine arteriovenous fistula is an abnormal connection between uterine blood vessels. The most common symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Although rare, the disease can cause massive bleeding, especially in women of reproductive age.

“If not detected and treated properly, patients may face the risk of having to have a hysterectomy to control bleeding, affecting their ability to conceive, physical health and mental health,” said Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Loan.

Faced with the risk of severe progression, the Obstetrics Department team coordinated with the Vascular Interventionalists at Family Hospital to come up with the optimal treatment plan. After a multidisciplinary consultation, the doctors agreed to choose selective uterine artery occlusion under the digital subtraction angiography (DSA) system to treat Ms. V.

Ms. V was happy and took a souvenir photo with the doctors before being discharged from the hospital.

Within more than 1 hour, with the support of the DSA system, the doctors quickly determined the location of the arteriovenous fistula. The abnormal vein was located in the uterine body area, supplied with blood by many branches of the left uterine artery, the veins were dilated, twisted, and difficult to observe.

However, the intervention team successfully approached, accurately selected the feeding branches and injected embolic agents to completely block the abnormal communication area. The results of the subsequent examination confirmed that the arteriovenous fistula had been completely treated. After the intervention, Ms. V's health was stable, the abnormal vaginal bleeding gradually decreased, and the uterus was preserved intact. Currently, Ms. KV has recovered and has been discharged from the hospital.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Huyen My - Vascular Interventional Stroke Unit (Family Hospital), surgery used to be the standard treatment for uterine arteriovenous fistula. However, currently, selective arterial occlusion under the guidance of the DSA system has become the preferred choice due to its safety, effectiveness and minimal invasiveness.

“This method not only controls acute bleeding well but also helps preserve the uterus and ovaries, which is especially important for young women who still want to have children in the future,” said Dr. Nguyen Thi Huyen My.

Dr. Huyen My also emphasized that Ms. V's case is a reminder of the importance of not being subjective with the manifestations of abnormal vaginal bleeding after an event related to pregnancy. Women of reproductive age need to pay attention to monitoring their menstrual cycle, proactively have regular gynecological examinations, and go to the doctor immediately when there are unusual signs to be diagnosed and treated promptly, avoiding unfortunate complications that may occur.

Hai Chau

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/tin-tuc/nu-benh-nhan-doi-mat-nguy-co-cat-tu-cung-vi-benh-hiem/20250827102517259