Complex Gynecologic Fistulas Presenting 10 Years After Uterine Artery Embolization

Abstract

BACKGROUND: 

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a minimally invasive procedure for treatment of symptomatic uterine leiomyomas, but long-term complications are under-reported.

CASE: 

This is the case of a healthy 51-year-old woman who had previously undergone UAE for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas. The patient presented with gross hematuria and pelvic pain 10 years later. She was found to have both a vesicouterine and a uteroduodenal fistula. The patient was successfully treated with hysterectomy, excision of the vesicouterine fistula, partial cystectomy, excision of the duodenal fistula, and primary duodenal repair.

CONCLUSION: 

Complex gynecologic fistulas may occur as a long-term complication in symptomatic women with a history of UAE.

In Brief

Simultaneous vesicouterine and uteroduodenal fistulas presented 10 years after uterine artery embolization and were successfully treated surgically.