Vulvar Varicosities in an Adolescent Girl with Morbid Obesity: A Case Report
Open Access
- 7 March 2021
- Vol. 8 (3), 202
- https://doi.org/10.3390/children8030202
Abstract
Vulvar varicosities in nonpregnant females, either isolated or as a part of the pelvic congestion syndrome, are rare. We present a case of an adolescent girl with morbid obesity with bilateral bluish protrusions on the labia minora, as an incidental finding, that coincided with her excessive weight gain. The adolescent underwent thorough clinical examination, doppler ultrasound, contrast venography and varicography, and magnetic resonance angiography to rule out alternative diagnoses. Imaging results confirmed the presence of large venous lakes. Venous drainage to the internal iliac vein and connections with the long saphenous vein were delineated. Incompetence, dilatation, or reflux of ovarian or internal iliac veins, or their main tributaries, were not noted. Since the adolescent was asymptomatic and other pathologies, such as vascular malformations or hemangiomas were excluded, she was managed conservatively with counseling about lifestyle modification and weight reduction. This is only the third reported case of vulvar venous varicosities in adolescents. Female sex, along with obesity, are known risk factors for varicose vein formation; however, the pathogenesis is not fully understood. Additional research is needed to elucidate the role of excess adipose tissue in the pathophysiology of vulvar varicose veins and to optimize diagnostic workup and management in adolescence.This publication has 26 references indexed in Scilit:
- Alfred-Louis-Dominique Richet (1816–1891) : pédagogie, anatomie et chirurgieMorphologie, 2015
- Pelvic Congestion Syndrome and Pelvic VaricositiesTechniques in Vascular and Interventional Radiology, 2014
- Successful embolization of vulval varices arising from the external pudendal veinJournal of Surgical Case Reports, 2014
- The care of patients with varicose veins and associated chronic venous diseases: Clinical practice guidelines of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the American Venous ForumJournal of Vascular Surgery, 2011
- The Relationship Between Varicoceles and ObesityJournal of Urology, 2006
- Isolated vulval varicosity in the non-pregnant state: a case report with review of the treatment optionsAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2005
- Vulvar venous malformations in an 11-year-old girl: a case reportJournal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 2004
- Laparoscopic varicocele ligation for pelvic congestion syndromeInternational Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 1996
- A comparison of colour duplex ultrasound with venography and varicography in the assessment of varicose veinsClinical Radiology, 1995
- The venous connections of vulval varicesClinical Radiology, 1967