Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm caused by hysteroscopic surgery: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND We report a case of uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP) occurrence during hysteroscopic endometrial polypectomy and its treatment via uterine artery embolization (UAE). CASE SUMMARY A 48-year-old primigravid, primiparous patient was incidentally found to have an endometrial polyp during a health checkup, and underwent a hysteroscopic polypectomy at another hospital. Her cervix was dilated with a Laminken-R® device. After the Laminken-R® was withdrawn, a large amount of genital bleeding was observed. This bleeding persisted after the hysteroscopic polypectomy, and, as hemostasis became impossible, the patient was transferred to our hospital by ambulance. On arrival, transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a 3-cm hypoechoic mass with a swirling internal pulse on the right side of the uterus, and color Doppler ultrasonography showed feeder vessels penetrating the mass. Pelvic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) confirmed the presence of a mass at this site, and vascular proliferation was observed within the uterine cavity. Consequently, UAP was diagnosed, and UAE was performed. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and 6 mo post-UAE, no recurrence of blood flow to the UAP was observed. CONCLUSION When abnormal genital bleeding occurs during hysteroscopic surgery, ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced CT can assist in the detection of early UAPs.