Embolisation for Pelvic Congestion
What is embolisation for pelvic congeston?
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is a term describing symptoms related to pelvic varicose veins. These dilated veins are similar to varicose veins in the legs but occur deep in the pelvis, often due to incompetent valves higher up particularly in the ovarian veins (especially the left). This results in reflux or reverse flows and pooling and stasis of blood in the pelvic veins which causes the characteristic symptoms.
Embolisation for pelvic congestion aims to block the refluxing veins to reduce the distension and discomfort. It is usually performed using metal coils to block the appropriate vein though other agents such as foam or sclerosants can also be used.
The procedure
The treatment is performed as a day case procedure under local anaesthetic and x-ray guidance. A tiny needle puncture is made into a vein in the groin and venography is performed by injecting dye to show the veins involved. The underlying problem is reflux (or flow going in the wrong direction) in the veins, possibly related to incompetence of valves. The offending vein is blocked off by placing metallic coils under x-ray guidance and the whole procedure takes about 30 minutes followed by two hours of bed rest afterwards.
You can go home later the same day, are back to normal activity virtually immediately and should notice symptomatic improvement within a few days. Occasionally in more complex cases a two stage or repeat procedure may be necessary.
Next steps
You may have been referred by your gynaecologist, general practitioner or vascular surgeon but self referral is also possible. A CT scan with contrast is usually arranged to demonstrated the pelvic veins and Dr. Crowe would then see you for a consultation to discuss the scan findings.
Please contact Dr. Crowe’s secretary on 0121 448 1502. Procedures are performed at The Priory Hospital and the Harborne Hospital in Birmingham and at the Princess Grace Hospital in London.
Most private insurance companies now cover the procedure and for non-insured patients the individual hospital can offer a competitive all in price. Note that hospital charges in central London are generally higher than in Birmingham Please get in touch for more information.
For more information or to make an appointment, please use the contact form or speak to Dr. Crowe’s secretary on 0121 448 1502.
Private Medical Insurance
Dr. Crowe is recognised by all the major private health insurance providers. To avail of your private insurance cover it is essential to contact your insurer in advance and obtain the necessary pre-authorisation for treatment. Dr. Crowe’s office can provide his provider number for the insurance company concerned as well as the procedure codes for the proposed treatment. Having this information before contacting your insurer speeds up the process of getting pre-authorisation.
While Dr. Crowe’s professional fees are within the insurance companies’ published guideline ranges the level of cover will depend on the conditions of your individual policy or that provided by your employer and cover should always be checked in advance. Some policies may stipulate an excess to be paid by the policy holder and this may be invoiced to you directly. There may be annual limits on cover, limits on out-patient cover or restricted cover for pre-existing conditions. Certain policies may also limit the choice of hospitals where treatment can be provided and this is particularly the case when considering treatment in central London. Insurers may stipulate that you must be referred to Dr. Crowe by your general practitioner or specialist but some allow self-referral or provide their own online GP service.
Self pay
It is not necessary to have private health insurance to avail of private medical care. More and more people are choosing to self-fund private treatment and are finding costs are often less than they had anticipated. Private medical care offers prompt and efficient diagnosis and treatment with your choice of consultant, at a time that suits you, in a clean and pleasant hospital environment.
Upon request price quotes can be obtained for the various treatments offered by Dr. Crowe. Having an initial consultation and scan does not commit you to proceeding with treatment and for more expensive high tech procedures the individual private hospitals can often offer a range of payment options. Although Dr. Crowe’s professional fees are standard regardless of treatment site the total costs are usually lower in Birmingham, reflecting higher hospital and clinic charges in central London.
For diagnostic scans Dr. Crowe can offer ultrasound, CT and MRI scanning at very reasonable self-fund rates that also vary from one private hospital to another. Plain X-Rays required for immigration and pre-employment health screening purposes can also be arranged.
Overseas Patients
Dr. Crowe is happy to take overseas referrals and can offer telephone and online consultations. Scans performed in your home country can be reviewed and he can liaise with your local doctors before you travel. Advice can be given on travel and follow up arrangements.
The private hospitals where Dr. Crowe practices can quote all in prices for treatment and assist with booking and arrangements prior to travel.
Dr. Crowe is recognised by many international and expatriate health insurance providers. In other cases the private hospitals may have agreements with international insurers and can facilitate treatment planning by liaising directly with the insurer for price quotes and invoicing.
Dr Crowe is based in London and Birmingham. Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK and is situated approximately 100 miles (160Km) north of London. There are excellent road and rail links and Birmingham International Airport provides direct flights to most European destinations as well as direct links to American, Asian and Middle Eastern cites.