J Korean Surg Soc.  2012 Jun;82(6):370-373.

Extrinsic compression of left iliac vein does not predict the development of post thrombotic syndrome in left side deep venous thrombosis

• Park SJ
• Park HJ
• Kwon EK
• Kim SJ
• Cho HR

Abstract

PURPOSE
Left side deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is associated with May-Thurner's anatomical variation and is often instigated by invasive treatment. The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of left iliac vein narrowness on incidence of post thrombotic syndrome (PTS) that developed after left side DVT.
METHODS
Forty-one left side DVT cases that were followed up for more than 1 year were enrolled. The iliac vein narrowness was measured by the shortest distance from the right iliac artery to the 5th lumbar vertebra overlying left iliac vein in computed tomography (CT) scan. The incidence of PTS was measured by phone-call history taking for specific symptoms of PTS. The means of the shortest distance were compared by independent t-test.
RESULTS
The number of PTS cases was eleven (26.8%). The level of thrombus, demographic data and other risk factors were similar in both PTS and non-PTS groups except the mean risk factor score. The mean of the shortest distance of PTS group and non-PTS group were 5.56 mm and 5.89 mm, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The degree of left iliac vein narrowness measured by the shortest distance from the right iliac artery and the 5th lumbar vertebral body was not a predictive factor for PTS.

Keyword

Venous thrombosis; X-ray computed tomography; Postthrombotic syndrome

MeSH Terms

Iliac Artery
Iliac Vein
Incidence
Postthrombotic Syndrome
Risk Factors
Spine
Thrombosis
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Venous Thrombosis

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Indirect computed tomogram (CT) venography. White arrows indicate the thrombus in the left iliac and femoral vein.

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  Fig. 2 Distances are measured in cross-sectional views. The shortest distance is measured from right iliac artery to 5th vertebral body overlying left iliac vein by picture archive communication system software. RIA, right iliac artery; IVC, inferior vena cava; LV, lumbar vertebra.

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  Fig. 3 Patient selection diagram for evaluation of left side post thrombotic syndrome after deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

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