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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava
Published on: January 13, 2023
Entrapped inferior vena cava between 2 lumbar vertebrae
Seong Su Hwang1, Soo Youn Park
1Department of Radiology, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
Inferior vena cava (IVC) entrapment between lumbar vertebrae is a rare condition. This case highlights intervertebral IVC entrapment causing partial obstruction due to vertebral compression fractures.
Area of Science:
- Spinal Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction presents with varied clinical symptoms and has diverse etiologies.
- Traumatic jejunal entrapment between vertebral bodies is documented, but IVC entrapment is not.
Observation:
- A unique case of partial IVC obstruction was identified.
- The obstruction was caused by entrapment of the IVC between two lumbar vertebral bodies.
Findings:
- The IVC entrapment resulted from a lumbar spine compression fracture.
- An associated injury to the anterior longitudinal ligament contributed to the entrapment.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of rare IVC obstruction causes.
- It highlights the importance of considering vascular compromise in spinal trauma.
- Further investigation into intervertebral entrapment mechanisms is warranted.
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