Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Role of ovarian artery-to-uterine artery anastomoses in uterine artery embolization: initial anatomic and radiologic studies

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To explore the anatomic features of normal human ovarian artery-to-uterine artery anastomoses and their impact on uterine artery embolization (UAE).

Methods

Using slice computed tomography (CT) scanning and vascular casting; models of the uterine arterial vascular network were constructed using five sets of uterus, bilateral adnexa and vagina from normal adult females. The anatomy and characteristics of these models were then studied.

Results

Both the casting specimen and the CT-reconstructed model showed the ovarian artery-to-uterine artery anastomoses clearly. Each was composed of the ovarian branch of the uterine artery and the ovarian branch of the ovarian artery. All 10 ovarian artery-to-uterine artery anastomoses were formed by direct connection between the ovarian branch of the uterine artery and the ovarian branch of the ovarian artery.

Conclusions

Thin slice CT scanning combined with vascular casting is a useful method to study the small arterial network. The anastomoses between the ovarian branch of the uterine artery and the ovarian branch of the ovarian artery were formed mainly by direct connection. The implications of the ovarian artery-to-uterine artery anastomoses on UAE are unclear; further function assessments are needed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abbara S, Nikolic B, Pelage JP, Banovac F, Spies JB (2007) Frequency and extent of uterine perfusion via ovarian arteries observed during uterine artery embolization for leiomyomas. AJR 188(6):1558–1563. doi:10.2214/AJR.05.1383

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Barth MM, Spies JB (2003) Ovarian artery embolization supplementing uterine embolization for leiomyomata. J Vasc Interv Radiol 14(9 Pt 1):1177–1182. doi:10.1097/01.RVI.0000085772.71254.CF

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Biko DM, Spanier JF, Nagamine M, Dwyer-Joyce L, Ball DS (2009) Persistent secondary postpartum hemorrhage after uterine artery embolization. J Vasc Interv Radiol 20(2):279–281. doi:10.1016/j.jvir.2008.10.016

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Binkert CA, Andrews RT, Kaufman JA (2001) Utility of nonselective abdominal aortography in demonstrating ovarian artery collaterals in patients undergoing uterine artery embolization for fibroids. J Vasc Interv Radiol 12(7):841–845

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Chen C, Guo H, Ping L, Ouyang Z, Guo H, Tang L, Li Z, Liu C, Wu K, Zhong G, Hong H, Hu J, Li J, Yu Y, Zhong S (2009) Three-dimensional reconstruction of the uterine vascular supply through vascular casting and thin slice computed tomography scanning. Minim Invasive Ther Allied Technol 18(2):98–102. doi:10.1080/13645700902720324

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Chen C, Huang R, Liu P, Ouyang Z, Guo H, Tang L, Li Z, Liu C, Wu K, Zhong G, Hong H, Hu J, Li J, Zhong S (2010) Contruction and clinical significance of normal uterine arterial vascular network models. Gynecol Obstet Invest 69:14–19. doi:10.1159/000245941

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Cicinelli E, Einer-Jensen N, Barba B, Luisi D, Alfonso R, Tartagni M (2004) Blood to the cornual area of the uterus is mainly supplied from the ovarian artery in the follicular phase and from the uterine artery in the luteal phase. Hum Reprod 19(4):1003–1008. doi:10.1093/humrep/deh171

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Hyrtl Joseph (1873) Die Corrosions-Anatomie und ihre Ergebnisse. Braumüller, Vienna, pp 168–180

    Google Scholar 

  9. Kim HS, Paxton BE (2007) Development of a hypertrophic ovarian artery after uterine artery embolization with polyvinyl alcohol particles. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 30(5):1033–1036. doi:10.1007/s00270-007-9068-8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Kim MD, Lee HS, Lee MH, Kim HJ, Cho JH, Cha SH (2008) Long-term results of symptomatic fibroids treated with uterine artery embolization: in conjunction with MR evaluation. Eur J Radiol 73(2):339–344. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2008.10.040

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Kroencke TJ, Scheurig C, Kluner C, Taupitz M, Schnorr J, Hamm B (2006) Uterine fibroids: contrast-enhanced MR angiography to predict ovarian artery supply–initial experience. Radiology 241(1):181–189. doi:10.1148/radiol.2411051075

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Matson M, Nicholson A, Belli AM (2000) Anastomoses of the ovarian and uterine arteries: a potential pitfall and cause of failure of uterine embolization. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 23(5):393–396. doi:10.1007/s002700010090

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Nikolic B, Spies JB, Abbara S, Goodwin SC (1999) Ovarian artery supply of uterine fibroids as a cause of treatment failure after uterine artery embolization: a case report. J Vasc Interv Radiol 10(9):1167–1170

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Pelage JP, Cazejust J, Pluot E, Le Dref O, Laurent A, Spies JB, Chagnon S, Lacombe P (2005) Uterine fibroid vascularization and clinical relevance to uterine fibroid embolization. Radiographics 25(Suppl 1):S99–S117. doi:10.1148/rg.25si055510

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Pelage JP, Walker WJ, Le Dref O (2002) Re: utility of nonselective abdominal aortography in demonstrating ovarian artery collaterals in patients undergoing uterine artery embolization for fibroids. J Vasc Interv Radiol 13(6):656

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Pelage JP, Walker WJ, Le Dref O, Rymer R (2003) Ovarian artery: angiographic appearance, embolization and relevance to uterine fibroid embolization. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 26(3):227–233. doi:10.1007/s00270-002-1875-3

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Razavi MK, Wolanske KA, Hwang GL, Sze DY, Kee ST, Dake MD (2002) Angiographic classification of ovarian artery-to-uterine artery anastomoses: initial observations in uterine fibroid embolization. Radiology 224(3):707–712. doi:10.1148/radiol.2243011513

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Scheurig C, Gauruder-Burmester A, Kluner C, Kurzeja R, Lembcke A, Zimmermann E, Hamm B, Kroenc-ke T (2006) Uterine artery embolization for symptomatic fibroids: short-term versus mid-term changes in disease-specific symptoms, quality of life and magnetic resonance imaging results. Hum Reprod 21(12):3270–3327. doi:10.1093/humrep/del275

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Wang MQ, Liu FY, Duan F, Wang ZJ, Song P, Song L (2009) Ovarian artery embolization supplementing hypogastric-uterine artery embolization for control of severe postpartum hemorrhage: report of eight cases. J Vasc Interv Radiol 20(7):971–976. doi:10.1016/j.jvir.2009.04.049

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. White AM, Banovac F, Yousefi S, Slack RS, Spies JB (2007) Uterine fibroid embolization: the utility of aorto- graphy in detecting ovarian artery collateral supply. Radiology 244(1):291–298. doi:10.1148/radiol.2441060796

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Winograd RH (2008) Uterine artery embolization for postpartum hemorrhage. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gyn- aecol 22(6):1119–1132. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2008.08.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank the people who donated their bodies for their contribution to scientific research. We thank Department of Anatomy and Department of Radiology of Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University for technical support. This study was supported by Natural Science Fund of Guangdong (NO.10151051501000102) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO.30970762).

Conflict of interest

None of the authors have identified a conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China

    Zhenbo Ouyang, Ping Liu, Yanhong Yu, Chunlin Chen & Xiaolei Song

  2. Department of Radiology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China

    Bo Liang

  3. Department of Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China

    Guangming Zhong, Chang Liu & Zeyu Li

Authors
  1. Zhenbo Ouyang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ping Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yanhong Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Chunlin Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xiaolei Song
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Bo Liang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Guangming Zhong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Chang Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Zeyu Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chunlin Chen.

Additional information

Z. Ouyang and P. Liu contributed equally to this work.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ouyang, Z., Liu, P., Yu, Y. et al. Role of ovarian artery-to-uterine artery anastomoses in uterine artery embolization: initial anatomic and radiologic studies. Surg Radiol Anat 34, 737–741 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-011-0883-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-011-0883-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation