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May-Thurner syndrome: a previously unreported variant
1Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City 73190.
Annals of Vascular Surgery
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Compression of the left common iliac vein by an artery can cause leg swelling. A rare case involved compression by the left internal iliac artery, highlighting diverse causes of venous obstruction.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Venous Anatomy
- Iliac Vein Compression
Background:
- Iliac vein compression syndrome is a condition where iliac veins are compressed by adjacent arteries.
- Commonly, the right common iliac artery compresses the left common iliac vein, leading to venous obstruction.
Observation:
- A 39-year-old patient presented with symptomatic venous occlusion of the left lower extremity.
- The obstruction was caused by external compression of the left common iliac vein.
Findings:
- Imaging revealed the left common iliac vein was compressed by the left internal iliac artery, not the typically implicated right common iliac artery.
- This anatomical variation led to intraluminal obstruction and subsequent venous occlusion.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering less common etiologies for left lower extremity venous obstruction.
- Accurate diagnosis of external venous compression requires thorough evaluation of adjacent arterial anatomy.
- Surgical planning for iliac vein compression should account for diverse arterial compression patterns.