Radiological evaluation of pelvic venous Disorders: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Pelvic venous disorder (PVD) is a common gynecological disorder caused by chronic pelvic venous congestion. Clinically, it primarily manifests as lower abdominal pain, lower back pain, dyspareunia, increased menstrual flow, and increased vaginal discharge, though positive physical signs are few. The gynecological examination may reveal bilateral ovarian tenderness. The clinical symptoms of PVD are nonspecific and overlap with those of other gynecological conditions, leading to a high rate of missed diagnoses and making accurate diagnoses challenging. The exact etiology of PVD is not fully understood, and there is currently no comprehensive diagnostic standard. Radiology plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of PVD. Through invasive or non-invasive imaging techniques, pelvic lesions can be assessed, providing precise guidance for clinical treatment and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. This review introduces the causes of PVD, the advantages and disadvantages of various non-invasive and invasive imaging examinations, and the key diagnostic points. The aim of this review is to help clinicians and radiologists better understand the disease and improve the accuracy of imaging diagnosis.