The arteriovenous malformation as an uterine vascular defect

Congenital or acquired arteriovenous malformations of the uterus are rare. They can affect pre- and postmenopausal females. The common pattern is that of a melange of venous, cavernous and capillary-sized vessels extending throughout the myometrium approaching the endometrium. The main symptom is abnormal bleeding. Color duplex sonography (CDUS) is the diagnostic modality of choice and bleeding is difficult to control except by a hysterectomy. The absence of pathological findings during hysteroscopy, despite of the presence of characteristic ultrasound changes, might preoperatively indicate an arteriovenous malformation of the uterus.