Diagnosis and Treatment of Nonthrombotic Right Iliac Vein Compression Syndrome

The anatomical etiology of right iliac vein compression syndrome (RIVCS) differs from that of left iliac vein compression syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the clinical features and therapeutic characteristics of RIVCS.

Sixteen patients with nonthrombotic RIVCS were admitted to our hospital from May 2013 to July 2017. All patients underwent computed tomography venography (CTV) examinations of the right lower limb, which indicated that the right iliac veins were compressed by extrinsic structures. RIVCS was divided into 3 types according to the CTV findings. Stenting was conducted in patients with the appropriate indications. The superficial varicose veins in the lower limbs were simultaneously treated during endovascular treatment in a compound operating room. Antiplatelet therapy was administered after discharge.

Most RIVCS cases were types II and III, and the most frequently compressed segments were the middle and distal parts of the iliac vein. Most stents did not require stretching into the inferior vena cava and therefore seldom affected contralateral blood flow. Fifteen patients required stenting; the diameters of the stents ranged from 10 to 16 mm. All symptoms were alleviated, and the ulcers healed postoperatively. The remaining single patient with superficial varicose veins did not have an indication for endovascular therapy. During follow-up, all patients were symptom free, and the stents showed excellent patency.

CTV is a simple, accurate, and important method for diagnosing RIVCS. Endovascular therapy is an effective therapeutic method for RIVCS. Compared with the left side, stent implantation for RIVCS is safer and has fewer effects on contralateral blood flow.