Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Radio-diagnosis

Background: Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is associated with pelvic varicosities that result in chronic pelvic pain. Asymptomatic women may also have pelvic varicosities, making pelvic congestion syndrome difficult to diagnose, it was diagnosed by selective ovarian venography which is an invasive procedure. (S.J.Park, et al, 2004). Methods: 200 patients complaining of chronic pelvic pain underwent Trans vaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and color Doppler examination using high frequency endo-cavitary probes. The examination was done at different times along the menstrual cycle with no special preparations. Results: The patients who were suspected to have pelvic congestion syndrome met the criteria of diagnosis with variable degrees of congestion. The diameter of the ovarian vein is significantly related to the diagnosis of the pelvic congestion syndrome together with the prominence of the uterine arcuate veins. Conclusion: Trans vaginal ultrasound and color Doppler examination now becomes the investigation of choice for diagnosis of PCS in female patients with chronic pelvic pain making the further assessment by ovarian venography is for interventional management of diagnosed cases

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