Endovascular correction of venogenic erectile dysfunction in May–Thurner syndrome (clinical case)
Authors: Povelitsa E. A. , Bystrenkov A. V. , Shesternya A. M. , Parkhomenko O. V. 
Published: December 2019

Introduction. Secondary varicose small pelvic veins with the development of chronic venous insufficiency due to obstruction of the magistral venous vessels, in particular, the left common iliac vein and the right common iliac artery (May–Thurner syndrome), occupy a special place in the structure of the causes of venogenic erectile dysfunction (ED).

The study objective is to present the clinical case of arteriovenous conflict (May–Thurner syndrome), leading to the development of secondary varicose small pelvic veins in men and venogenic ED, as well as modern methods of its verification and endovascular surgical repair.

Clinical case. A clinical case of successful endovascular correction of venogenic ED is presented. The patient is diagnosed with: May– Thurner syndrome. Pelvic varicose disease С3 (according to CEAP Classification). Condition after endovascular balloon angioplasty and stenting of the left common iliac vein. Bilateral varicocele. Condition after bilateral varicocelectomy in 2018. Severe venogenic ED (pathological venous drainage, proximal type, International Index of Erectile Function (v. 5) – 12 points; Er3 according to the Unem Scale) in accordance with the Comprehensive Classification System for Chronic Venous Disorders. On July 24, 2019 endovascular occlusion of the Santorini’s plexus veins was performed with the installation of occlusion spirals in their lumen according to Gianturco. In order to provide visualization of the veins in the Santorini’s plexus, given the impossibility of cannulation of the deep vein of the penis, bilateral symmetrical cannulation of the cavernous bodies of the penis was carried out to perform cavernosophlebography. The left common iliac vein was catheterized according to the Crossover technique. Under phlebography control we ensured that the stent in the common iliac vein passed without signs of loss of its lumen. The internal pudental vein on the left was selectively catheterized. Hydrophilic guidewire was introduced through the veins of the periprostatic plexus into the right internal pudental vein. Selective catheterization of the periprostatic venous plexus was not possible due to pronounced tortuosity, valve flaps of the veins and small diameter of the catheterized veins. It was decided to pass the guidewire further through the right iliac vein system with access to the inferior vena cava. Further, the guidewire was again transferred to the left common iliac vein (double crossover). The left common femoral vein was punctured followed by the placement of 5 Fr introducer sheath according to Seldinger. The guidewire tip was fixed by the loop in the left common iliac vein, then captured and brought out through the introducer in the left common femoral vein. A catheter Сobra15 Fr was inserted through a crossover guide from the left common femoral vein into the right internal iliac vein and further into the periostatic venous plexus. Gradually veins of the Santorini’s plexus were selectively catheterized followed by Gianturco coils embolization.

Conclusion. The first choice surgery for verified proximal type ED is endovascular occlusion of the veins in the Santorini’s plexus through the deep vein of the penis, which allows to change the hemodynamics in the penis and provide sufficient erection without resorting to endofalloprosthesis of the penis. Single or double-sided transfemoral access is suggested for patients when access through the deep vein of the penis is rather challenging or absent.