Intermittent inferior vena caval obstruction: an unusual cause demonstrated by ultrasound

Abstract

The syndrome of inferior vena caval obstruction may result from a number of diverse causes (Missal et al, 1965; Siqueira-Filho et al, 1976), and the clinical presentation and course depend, with some exceptions, upon the aetiology and level of obstruction. Thrombosis within the inferior vena cava (IVC) is one of the more common causes and may be primary or secondary to abdominal infection, abdominal trauma or surgery, hypercoagulable states or extension from femoral or iliac thrombophlebitis.

Unusual Inferior Vena Cava Obstruction Causing Extensive Thrombosis: An Intravascular Endoscopic Observation.

“…Although thrombosis of the IVC is sometimes associated with the compression of the IVCby malignant neoplasms, the precipitating cause of the thrombosis is often trivial and obscure. Strenuous exercise, a long period of standing, bed rest, and hypercoagulability of blood have been reported as acause ofIVC thrombosis in some cases (8)(9)(10). Also, an anatomical abnormality of the common iliac arteries was also reported as a cause of obstruction of the lower IVC (6, 1 1).…”