Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Part 1: Diagnosis and Planning

In this episode, Dr. Mark Meissner and Dr. Michael Cumming join Dr. Michael Barraza to discuss Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. We discuss the pathophysiology of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome and the fundamentals of pelvic venous hypertension. Dr. Meissner and Dr. Cumming tell us how patients end up in their clinic.

We discuss why it is important to distinguish primary and secondary causes of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome and the dangers of an incomplete embolization. We review some techniques for ultrasounds, why not to rely on cross-sectional imaging, and the advantages of getting a CT for the Pelvic Congestion Syndrome patient.

We discuss how to adapt treatment plans for women that have never been pregnant or women that are post-menopausal. Dr. Meissner and Dr. Cumming explain how they frame their goals and expectations for each patient’s treatment process, and we examine when it is appropriate to use a multi-modality approach to treat Pelvic Congestion Syndrome.