Uterine artery malformation as a hidden cause of severe uterine bleeding -A case report

BACKGROUND: Uterine artery malformations are rare, life-threatening conditi ons. Clinical suspicion is es sential for a prompt diagnosis and treatment. CASE: A 29-year-old woman was evaluated for severe uterine bleeding that st arted abruptly two weeks after elective termination of pregnancy. She under went dilatation and curettage of the uterine cavity for retained products o f conception. The patient presented to the emergency room two weeks later w ith abrupt onset of profuse vaginal bleeding that would spontaneously subsi de. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed a left uterine artery malformat ion that teas successfully embolized. CONCLUSION: Uterine artery malformations should be suspected when heavy vag inal bleeding occurs in spite of medical or surgical treatment. (J Reprod M ed 2001;46:398-400).