Failure of balloon membranotomy of the inferior vena cava

A young woman with membranous obstruction and coarctation of the inferior vena cava is described. A balloon membranotomy was performed with a transient improvement. Three months later massive thrombosis of the inferior vena cava developed. It appears that balloon membranotomy alone is contraindicated in the presence of both stenosis and membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava.