Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava

The purpose of this article is to present the CT features in five cases of pathologically verified Inferior vena cava (IVC) leiomyosarcoma. In this retrospective analysis, we reviewed CT features in 5 cases of clinicopathologically confirmed IVC leiomyosarcoma with respect to its location (infra renal, trans renal, supra renal), its extent (with or without involvement of renal vein, hepatic IVC with or without involvement of hepatic vein, right atrial & extra caval extension) and pattern of enhancement. CT guided biopsy was performed in four patients while the last patient underwent successful resection of the tumor. Three male and two female patients (aged 45 to 72 years) were included in the study. Heterogeneously enhancing retroperitoneal mass involving IVC is the most common imaging feature. The intra and extra luminal extension was demonstrated excellently in all patients. IVC leiomyosarcoma is a rare neoplasm often presenting very late with non-specific symptoms. Cross sectional imaging establishes the exact location and extension and plays a vital role in determining the resectibility and planning the management.