IVC thrombosis: successful treatment with low dose streptokinase

Thrombosis of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is an infrequent cause of thrombosis when large series of patients with deep vein thrombosis are examined. It may provide a diagnostic challenge in that lower extremity edema may be absent. The management has varied in published series with different authors recommending anticoagulant therapy (heparin or fibrinolytic therapy), surgical venous thrombectomy, or IVC interruption. We describe a case of IVC thrombosis presenting with pulmonary emboli, successfully treated with low-dose infusional Streptokinase.