Understanding Venous Embolization: A Guide to Common Procedures at Subang Jaya Medical Centre

Venous embolization is a minimally invasive procedure commonly used to treat various conditions affecting the veins. At Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC), our Vascular and Interventional Radiology (VIR) team provides a range of venous embolization procedures to manage these conditions effectively.

Here, we outline the common venous embolization procedures performed at SJMC, including varicocele embolization, ovarian vein embolization in chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and BRTO: embolization of gastric varices. We aim to provide valuable insights into these procedures and help you understand how they can benefit your health.

It is a procedure that uses particles, such as tiny gelatin sponges or beads, to block a blood vessel.

Varicocele is a condition that occurs when the veins in the scrotum become enlarged, leading to discomfort and infertility. Varicocele embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the insertion of a small catheter into the affected vein under local anaesthesia. Once the catheter is in place, a special substance is injected to block the blood flow to the vein, causing it to shrink and eventually disappear. This procedure is highly effective in improving the symptoms of varicocele and restoring fertility in affected individuals.

Ovarian vein embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to treat chronic pelvic pain syndrome in women. This condition is often caused by blood reflux from the ovarian vein into the pelvis, leading to pain and discomfort. The procedure involves the insertion of a small catheter into the affected vein and injecting a special substance to block the blood flow to the vein, relieving the symptoms of the condition. This procedure is highly effective in managing chronic pelvic pain syndrome and has a low risk of complications.

Gastric varices are enlarged veins that occur in the stomach and can lead to bleeding and other complications. BRTO, or balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration, is a minimally invasive procedure for treating these varices. The procedure involves the insertion of a catheter into the affected vein under local anaesthesia and injecting a special substance to block the blood flow to the varices, causing them to shrink and eventually disappear. This procedure is highly effective in managing gastric varices and reducing the risk of complications associated with this condition.