ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Post-partum ovarian vein thrombosis is often overlooked or mistaken for other complications such as endometritis. Color Doppler ultrasonography is a very good diagnostic method when properly indicated and correctly interpreted according to clinical data. METHODS: This study reports ten cases that were retrospectively studied, during which color Doppler ultrasonography was used. The clinical signs and the results are reviewed. RESULTS: The lesions were clearly visualized in eight of the ten cases; one of the two failures resulted from a methodological fault (uninterpretable result); the other one was due to the lack of experience of the operator and nonrecognition of the clinical signs. Thrombosis appears as a hypoechogenic and tubular image. This type of examination is particularly indicated in the presence of certain clinical signs that were observed in our cases: fever and iliac pain are the main precursor signs, often associated with abdominal meteorism and slow digestive transit; provoked cul-de-sac pain during vaginal probing was the only constant sign, sometimes associated with painful swelling.
Subject(s)
Ovarian Diseases/etiology , Ovary/blood supply , Puerperal Disorders/diagnostic imaging , Thrombophlebitis/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Female , Humans , Ovarian Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Ovary/diagnostic imaging , Pregnancy , Puerperal Disorders/etiology , Retrospective Studies , Ultrasonography, Doppler, ColorABSTRACT
Thrombophlebitis of the ovarian vein is a well recognized but uncommon complication during the postpartum period. We report a small series and emphasize the contribution of color Doppler and the basic therapeutic measures.
