Venous malformations of the female lower genital tract

Abstract

Objectives Vascular malformations are rarely located in the female lower genital tract. We present the specific clinicopathologic features of venous malformation in the lower genital tract and highlight the surgical management of these lesions. Study design Between the years 1998 and 2008, 8 of 646 female patients were retrospectively defined as venous malformation in the lower genital tract according to the classification of the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA). Clinical and pathologic information was analyzed according to the medical records and archived pathological sections. Results Venous malformations were located in the vagina in three women, and in two of these cases extended to the cervix, and were found at the vulva in five patients. The age of the patients ranged from 15 to 85. The clinical presentations were abnormal vaginal bleeding or vaginal mass in cases with cervicovaginal lesions, and non-specific vulvar nodules in women with vulvar lesions. The abnormalities were found shortly after birth and increased in size gradually thereafter, or become significantly enlarged during or following pregnancy. Postmenopausal episodes could occur, although rarely. Doppler ultrasound, MRI and angiography were available to help define the type of vascular anomalies. The therapeutic approach consisted of interventional embolization and surgical excision. In rare cases of refractory and diffuse cervicovaginal lesions, hysterectomy might be ultimately inevitable. Conclusion Venous malformations in the lower female genital tract are rarely reported. Their clinical presentations mimic other genital tract neoplasms, including malignancies. Surgical excision is the curative procedure and is helpful to reach a definite pathological diagnosis.