Pudendal Nerve Irritation as Unique Symptom of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is an underdiagnosed but not rare cause of chronic pelvic pain, affecting approximately 10%–30% of women of reproductive age. It is characterized by venous insufficiency and dilation of the ovarian and pelvic veins, often presenting with symptoms that worsen during m...

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Main Authors: Christos Dimopoulos, Sotirios Bisdas, Theodosios Bisdas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Neurological Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/crnm/7952359
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author Christos Dimopoulos
Sotirios Bisdas
Theodosios Bisdas
author_facet Christos Dimopoulos
Sotirios Bisdas
Theodosios Bisdas
author_sort Christos Dimopoulos
collection DOAJ
description Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is an underdiagnosed but not rare cause of chronic pelvic pain, affecting approximately 10%–30% of women of reproductive age. It is characterized by venous insufficiency and dilation of the ovarian and pelvic veins, often presenting with symptoms that worsen during menstruation or prolonged standing, and improve in the supine position. Dyspareunia and a sensation of pelvic heaviness are also frequently reported. Neurological manifestations—such as pudendal or femoral nerve irritation—are rare but may offer key diagnostic clues. We present a case of a 30-year-old woman with right-sided pelvic pain radiating to the groin and proximal thigh, consistent with neural irritation. Magnetic neurography revealed dilated pelvic veins in close proximity to the right psoas muscle and the L5 nerve root, suggesting perineural venous engorgement. Selective venography confirmed bilateral ovarian vein insufficiency, and the patient underwent successful embolization with Ruby coils and adjunct sclerotherapy. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with complete resolution of symptoms. Follow-up at 1 year showed no recurrence, and the patient later achieved a successful pregnancy. This case highlights the potential for pelvic venous congestion to mimic or cause neural symptoms and emphasizes the diagnostic value of magnetic neurography in complex pain presentations. Endovascular treatment proved safe and effective, even in cases with neurological involvement.
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spelling doaj-art-d41bcbd303bd4bdb9873365fb77c74452025-08-20T02:22:45ZengWileyCase Reports in Neurological Medicine2090-66762025-01-01202510.1155/crnm/7952359Pudendal Nerve Irritation as Unique Symptom of Pelvic Congestion SyndromeChristos Dimopoulos0Sotirios Bisdas1Theodosios Bisdas2Department of Vascular SurgeryDepartment of NeuroradiologyDepartment of Vascular SurgeryPelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is an underdiagnosed but not rare cause of chronic pelvic pain, affecting approximately 10%–30% of women of reproductive age. It is characterized by venous insufficiency and dilation of the ovarian and pelvic veins, often presenting with symptoms that worsen during menstruation or prolonged standing, and improve in the supine position. Dyspareunia and a sensation of pelvic heaviness are also frequently reported. Neurological manifestations—such as pudendal or femoral nerve irritation—are rare but may offer key diagnostic clues. We present a case of a 30-year-old woman with right-sided pelvic pain radiating to the groin and proximal thigh, consistent with neural irritation. Magnetic neurography revealed dilated pelvic veins in close proximity to the right psoas muscle and the L5 nerve root, suggesting perineural venous engorgement. Selective venography confirmed bilateral ovarian vein insufficiency, and the patient underwent successful embolization with Ruby coils and adjunct sclerotherapy. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with complete resolution of symptoms. Follow-up at 1 year showed no recurrence, and the patient later achieved a successful pregnancy. This case highlights the potential for pelvic venous congestion to mimic or cause neural symptoms and emphasizes the diagnostic value of magnetic neurography in complex pain presentations. Endovascular treatment proved safe and effective, even in cases with neurological involvement.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/crnm/7952359
spellingShingle Christos Dimopoulos
Sotirios Bisdas
Theodosios Bisdas
Pudendal Nerve Irritation as Unique Symptom of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
Case Reports in Neurological Medicine
title Pudendal Nerve Irritation as Unique Symptom of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
title_full Pudendal Nerve Irritation as Unique Symptom of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
title_fullStr Pudendal Nerve Irritation as Unique Symptom of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
title_full_unstemmed Pudendal Nerve Irritation as Unique Symptom of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
title_short Pudendal Nerve Irritation as Unique Symptom of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
title_sort pudendal nerve irritation as unique symptom of pelvic congestion syndrome
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/crnm/7952359
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AT theodosiosbisdas pudendalnerveirritationasuniquesymptomofpelviccongestionsyndrome