Learning objectives
To systematize and illustrate the spectrum of responsible causes for inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis. To discuss how to avoid and detect artifactual fillings defects.
Background
Introduction: IVC thrombosis is an under recognized entity. It’s frequency in patients with deep venous thrombosis is 4-15%. A group of etiologies of IVC thrombosis is common to the general mechanics of deep venous thrombosis. However, there are some particular factors in this entity. The main causes of IVC thrombosis can be found in Table 1. They are distributed by their tumoral or non tumoral origin and by their underlying responsible mechanism of thrombus formation. Sometimes, more than one mechanism may contribute to the thrombus...
Imaging findings OR Procedure details
Being aware of the existence of artifactual filing defects that simulate IVC thrombosis, and knowing how to overtake these technical difficulties, is very useful to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary investigations. It is of utmost importance to be familiarized with the possible causes of IVC thrombosis, so the radiologist may look for them and give the necessary information to the management of the patient. How to detect and avoid artifactual filling defects Flow artifacts: Ø The most common filling defect is due to an artifactual incident...
Conclusions
Various causes of IVC thrombosis can be detected in the imaging studies. Their proper characterization and distinction from pseudothrombosis is very important and influence the management of these patients.
Personal Information
Sílvia Costa Dias -
[email protected]. Department of Radiology, Hospital São Marcos - Braga. Portugal.
References
1. Kaufman LB, Yeh BM, Breiman RS, Joe BN, Qayyum A, Coakley FV. Inferior Vena Cava Filling Defects on CT and MRI. AJR 2005; 185:717-726. 2. Sheth S, Fishman EK. Imaging of the Inferior Vena Cava with MDCT. AJR 2007; 189:1243-1251. 3. Cuevas C, Raske M, Bush WH, Takayama T, Maki JH, Kolokythas O, Meshberg E. Imaging Primary and Secondary Tumor Thrombus of the Inferior Vena Cava: Multi-Detector Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol 2006; 35:90-101. 4. Sonin AH, Mazer MJ,...