Arteriovenous malformations of the uterus

Uterine arteriovenous malformations are rare lesions with a considerable risk potential. Clinical presentation varies from no signs over various degree of menorrhagia to massive life-threatening vaginal bleeding. Clinical suspicion is essential for a prompt diagnosis and treatment. Three cases of uterine arteriovenous malformations are presented. These cases were managed either expectantly with 100 % resolution or surgically by hysterectomy. This report stresses the importance of site and size of these arteriovenous malformations in considering the treatment modalities. A uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare cause of uterine bleeding. The lesion has been variably described as cirsoid aneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, arteriovenous aneurysm, pulsating angioma, or cavernous angioma. Earlier diagnosis was usually made on angiography,1 laprotomy, or pathology. However with the advent of newer techniques such as Colour Doppler sonography,2,3 contrast computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the detection of this entit