Venous hypertension in the pelvic veins can result in the development of varicosities in the perineum, and sometimes also in the lower extremities. These varicose veins are anatomically and functionally different from typical varicosities associated with an incompetence of the saphenous veins. Since the pelvic cavity is anatomically separated from the lower extremity and perineum by muscles and skeleton, there are only a few routes through which pelvic veins can communicate with extra-pelvic veins. These routes should primarily be examined during diagnostic workout. In this review article, clinical anatomy concerning varicose veins of pelvic origin is presented, and the anatomically-driven diagnostics for these atypical varicose veins are discussed. Focus on ultrasonographic detection of the escape points, which are located at the sites where the incompetent intra-pelvic and extra-pelvic veins are connected—such as the perineal veins, veins running alongside the round ligament of the uterus, the obturator vein, as well as the inferior and superior gluteal veins—is emphasized.

Extra-pelvic varicose veins (VVs), originating from incompetent pelvic veins, present a significant clinical challenge, due to their complex anatomy, etiology, and symptomatology. This review aims at providing a comprehensive overview of the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these cases and emphasizes the importance of a tailored, evidence-based approach to the effective management of these varicosities, particularly regarding the interplay between the pelvic and extra-pelvic venous systems. Diagnostic workup should be multifaceted, incorporating patient-reported symptoms, physical examinations, and duplex ultrasound imaging. Specific diagnostic assessments include evaluation of the pelvic escape points and the transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasonography, to analyze venous hemodynamics and identify anatomical abnormalities in the pelvic floor and pelvis. In patients presenting with additional pelvic venous insufficiency (PVI)-related pelvic symptoms, advanced diagnostic techniques, such as cross-sectional imaging, venography, and intravascular ultrasound can be valuable to confirm and establish the appropriate treatment strategy. Since most patients with extra-pelvic VVs of pelvic origin do not report pelvic symptoms, minimally invasive procedures, using the “bottom-up” approach, such as ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy of the pelvic escape points and extra-pelvic VVs, or surgical ligation and miniphlebectomy for these incompetent veins, are usually sufficient. There are several advantages of these local procedures: they are simple, radiation exposure and injection contrast agents are avoided, they are convenient for the patient since they are performed on an outpatient basis, and they can be easily repeated, if required. When the “bottom-up” treatment fails and the extra-pelvic VVs recur quickly or the patient develops pelvic symptoms, management of the pelvic veins including embolization of the ovarian veins or stenting of the iliac veins should be considered. Careful patient selection is essential to avoid overtreatment and achieve optimal clinical outcomes.

Extrapelvic varices of pelvic origin, such as vulvar varices, and lower extremity varicose veins (VVs) of pelvic origin are being diagnosed with increasing frequency. A proper management strategy, including history, physical examination, duplex ultrasound (DUS) of the lower extremities, DUS of pelvic escape points, selection of appropriate treatment, and post-treatment care, is essential for good patient outcomes and satisfaction. A non-pregnant, 27 year old female presented with prominent vulvar varices in combination with right sided VVs on the anterior and medial thigh, calf, and buttock. She was successfully managed by bottom up treatment with ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy. The bottom up technique involves treatment of VVs of pelvic origin by direct puncture of the pelvic escape points and associated VVs, without embolisation of the pelvic veins. This case illustrates successful bottom up treatment in accordance with recent guidelines in a female patient with extensive VVs of pelvic origin.

Varicose veins (VVs) of pelvic origin are one of the clinical presentations of pelvic venous disorders (PeVD) and are increasingly being diagnosed in patients in phlebological offices these days. To investigate VVs potentially resulting from pelvic vein incompetence (PVI), a usual full duplex ultrasonography (DUS) of lower extremity veins in the upright position is recommended as well as DUS for evaluation of pelvic escape points (PELVs). Seven PELVs have been described, connecting the pelvic veins to the veins of the genital region and/or legs. There are two possible treatment options for pelvic origin VVs, top-down treatment such as pelvic vein embolization or treatment of iliac/renal vein compression if it is the cause of PVI and bottom-up treatment of PELVs and related VVs. The idea of the latter approach is to treat the causes of the external pelvic VVs in the genital region and VVs in the legs without having to treat asymptomatic pelvic veins within the pelvis. The most common methods of bottom- up treatment are sclerotherapy, surgical ligation and miniphlebectomy. The efficacy of such treatment approach for VVs of pelvic origin has been reported in the literature, whereas studies have failed to demonstrate good results of top- down treatment in the context of eliminating VVs of pelvic origin as well as minimizing the risk of VVs recurrence. Bottom-up treatment is a useful option to avoid unnecessary and more expensive pelvic vein embolization and should be considered as an initial therapeutic approach. Only if bottom-up treatment fails, if the VVs recur rapidly, or if the patient develops pelvic symptoms due to PVI, pelvic veins embolization can be considered.