Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Iqbal S, Knipe H, Bell D, et al. Vulvar varices. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 24 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-81009
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Henry Knipe had the following disclosures:
- Integral Diagnostics, Shareholder (ongoing)
- Micro-X Ltd, Shareholder (ongoing)
These were assessed during peer review and were determined to
not be relevant to the changes that were made.
View Henry Knipe's current disclosures
Vulvar varices (or vulval) are dilated superficial veins of the external female genitalia, which are primarily seen during pregnancy and usually resolve spontaneously postpartum.
Vulvar varicosities are seen in up to 4% of pregnant females in the vulvar and perivulvar region, and rarely seen in non-gravid females 2.
Clinically vulvar varices may present as:
They may be confused with cysts or neoplastic lesions, especially in the region of the Bartholin glands.
Etiology
Vulvar varices are seen in patients with 2:
Treatment and prognosis
Most pregnancy-related vulvar and perivulvar varices subside spontaneously and may be managed conservatively. In unresolved cases, treatment options include sclerotherapy, embolization of dilated venous channels and surgical decompression 1,2.
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1. Kim A, Greyling L, Davis L. Vulvar Varicosities: A Review. Dermatol Surg. 2017;43(3):351-6. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000001008 - Pubmed
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2. Bell D, Kane P, Liang S, Conway C, Tornos C. Vulvar Varices: An Uncommon Entity in Surgical Pathology. Int J Gynecol Pathol. 2007;26(1):99-101. doi:10.1097/01.pgp.0000215304.62771.19 - Pubmed
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3. Castenmiller P, de Leur K, de Jong T, van der Laan L. Clinical Results After Coil Embolization of the Ovarian Vein in Patients with Primary and Recurrent Lower-Limb Varices with Respect to Vulval Varices. Phlebology. 2013;28(5):234-8. doi:10.1258/phleb.2012.011117 - Pubmed
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