[Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava and magnetic resonance imaging]

Venous leiomyosarcomas are rare and predominantly arise in the inferior vena cava (IVC). The clinical findings, often not very suggestive and nonspecific, sometimes precede the diagnosis by several years. According to the literature, leiomyosarcoma of the IVC generally occurs in middle-aged women. Modern imaging techniques, especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can now establish the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma of the IVC with a high probability and allow assessment of operability. The authors report a case of leiomyosarcoma of the IVC in a 24-year-old male patient, confirmed by intravenous biopsy. They present the MR features of this malignant tumour, rarely reported in the literature, and emphasize the value of this examination in the operability staging. The 3D imaging provided by MRI allows intra and extraluminal staging and involvement of adjacent organs. It also allows optimal evaluation of the effects on flow, circulatory slowing or thrombosis and, due to its high contrast resolution, it is more sensitive to distinguish clot from tumour nodule.