Anomalies of the inferior vena cava. 2 case reports

Two cases of anomalous inferior vena cava are presented, with the emphasis on embryology. The first patient was investigated by venography for a clinically proven varicocele as a probable cause of infertility. A double inferior vena cava was found during venography, and was confirmed by computed tomography (CT). In the second case a left-sided inferior vena cava was an incidental finding when a CT scan was done as a diagnostic procedure in a case of Hodgkin's disease. A short summary of the embryology and the significance of the variants is presented.     

Inferior Vena Cava Stenting: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Intractable Ascites in Patients with Polycystic Liver Disease

We performed a retrospective study of seven patients with polycystic liver disease who underwent stenting of the inferior vena cava for intractable ascites. All patients had symptomatic ascites and inferior vena cava stenosis demonstrable by venography. The mean pressure gradient across the inferior vena cava stenosis before stenting was 14.5 mm Hg (range 6–25 mm Hg) and significantly decreased to a mean pressure gradient of 2.8 mm Hg (range 0–6 mm Hg, p = 0.008) after stenting. Two patients also had stenting of hepatic venous stenoses after unsuccessful inferior vena cava stenting. After a mean follow-up of 12.2 months (range 0.5–39.1 months), five of the seven patients have had maintained clinical improvement, defined as decreased symptoms, diuretic requirements, and frequency of paracentesis. Four patients have required no further intervention. The other patient was lost in follow-up. Patients with clinical improvement had an overall larger mean pressure gradient before stenting (19.2 vs. 9.8 mm Hg) and a larger Δ pressure gradient (15.8 vs. 7.8 mm Hg) compared to those in whom stenting was unsuccessful. These results suggest inferior vena cava stenting is safe and effective and should be considered as a first-line intervention in the treatment of medically intractable ascites in select patients with polycystic liver disease. Presented at the 2006 American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Congress, Miami Beach, FL, March 9–12, 2006.     

CT Venography and CT Angiography of the Pulmonary Arteries in Acute Pulmonary Embolism

OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic value of CT venography after CT angiography of the pulmonary arteries using multislice helical CT in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism. METHODS: Between September 1999 and April 2001 252 patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism were examined. CT angiography of the pulmonary arteries was followed by CT venography of the inferior vena cava, the iliac veins and the proximal femoral veins; after April 2000 the popliteal veins and the proximal lower leg veins were additionally investigated. The examinations were performed with a double detector and a multidetector scanner (Elscint Twin and GE Lightspeed). RESULTS: Pulmonary embolism was found in 79/252 patients (40 central and 39 segmental/subsegmental PE). In 38/40 patients with central PE and in 22/39 patients with segmental/subsegmental PE in CT venography a deep venous thrombosis was detected, in 1/79 patient a doubled inferior vena cava could be found. In 5 patients with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava a transjugular cava filter placement was performed. In 13/173 patients without pulmonary embolism CT venography showed deep venous thrombosis. CONCLUSION: CT venography of the lower extremities is a practical and efficient additional examination to CT angiography in clinical suspected pulmonary embolism. It can detect the causing venous thrombosis with a high sensitivity.     

下腔静脉滤器术后闭塞合并复杂双下肢静脉血栓的腔内治疗方案：病例报告

目的 滤器引起的下腔静脉闭塞是一种罕见但可以致命的严重并发症,本文目的是报告1例下腔静脉滤器术后闭塞合并左肢体急性血栓形成及右髂静脉慢性血栓形成的诊治。方法 患者46岁,男性,因“左大腿进行性胀痛3天”入院,彩超和CT静脉成像（CTV）所示下腔静脉可见金属支架影及下腔静脉、双侧髂总静脉、左侧髂内、外静脉、左侧股静脉、左侧腘静脉、胫前、胫后、腓总静脉广泛血栓形成。随后行腔内治疗手术：经导丝穿刺后置入球囊扩张并在静脉闭塞处植入支架,下腔静脉回流不畅处使用双侧髂外静脉植入球囊对吻扩张后再植入支架。术后常规服用抗凝药至少3个月。结果 术后患者腹痛及消化道不适感消失,左大腿肿胀逐渐消失如常。1月及3月常规复查显示下肢深静脉通畅,支架内无血栓形成。结论 针对滤器引起的血栓性下腔静脉闭塞以及下肢深静脉血栓的复杂病例,腔内治疗有效及安全。开通双侧髂静脉后的球囊对吻扩张下腔静脉,以及放置支架后球囊扩张,展现了腔内治疗的灵活性,为后续腔内治疗的术式变化以及相应的复杂病例治疗提供了指导作用。     

Transatrial membranotomy for Budd-Chiari syndrome

In a 7-year period, transatrial membranotomy was performed in 11 patients with membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava. There were 5 men and 6 women, ranging in age from 23 to 53 years. Clinical symptoms included jaundice in 4 patients, hepatomegaly in 4, leg edema or varicose veins in 10, and venous collaterals over the abdominal and chest wall in all 11 patients. Transatrial membranotomy was performed through a median sternotomy in all patients. When inferior vena cava venography revealed that the obstruction was accompanied by long segmental thrombosis, additional dilation was performed with a Hegar dilator. There was no surgical mortality. Early operative complications included pulmonary embolism in 2 patients and bleeding requiring reoperation in 1. In a mean follow-up period of 30.6 months (range, 2 to 88 months), 9 patients had no symptoms, transient pericardial constriction developed in 1 patient and resolved 1 month later, and restenosis of the inferior vena cava developed in another patient 1 year after the first operation. This latter patient received a second transatrial membranotomy followed by percutaneous balloon angioplasty of the inferior vena cava, with a satisfactory result at 8 months follow-up. We conclude that transatrial membranotomy is an effective and safe procedure for patients with membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava.     

Curative surgery for locally advanced retroperitoneal mature teratoma in an adult. Case report

INTRODUCTIONPrimary teratomas of retroperitoneum are not usual in the adult population. These tumors most commonly seen at the gonadal and sacrococcygeal regions. Herein we describe a case of an 18-year-old female who had a benign cystic teratoma at the retroperitoneum.PRESENTATION OF CASEThe patient underwent an operation at another hospital following a misdiagnosis of hydatid cyst. The patient was referred to our hospital because of the detection of an unresectable tumor during her operation. A computerized tomography (CT)–angiography revealed a cystic mass, with a diameter of 14 cm which was invaded into the retrohepatic suprarenal inferior vena cava and also extended to the posterior aspect of the liver. Additionally the mass invaded the posterior wall of the inferior vena cava and the right renal vein. The tumor was completely resected with a vascular resection. The inferior vena cava was reconstructed with a 12 cm Dacron^® graft and the renal vein was implanted. The patient's postoperative period was uneventful.DISCUSSIONGerm cell tumors of retroperitoneum are usually seen in children, but there are also some reports of adult cases in the literature. Adult cases are especially seen in females. Imaging studies are paramount for diagnosis, preoperative strategy and safe surgical excision. CT scans and MRIs can identify various components of these tumors.CONCLUSIONEven though primary retroperitoneal teratomas are quite rare in adults. Preoperative radiology imaging and strategy is critical for performing a safe surgery. The gold standard treatment strategy for this neoplasm is the surgical resection.     

THE MANAGEMENT OF RENAL CELL CARCINOMA WITH INFERIOR VENA-CAVAL INVOLVEMENT

Seven patients with renal cell carcinoma involving the inferior vena cava underwent surgical resection between 1975 and 1991. Pre-operative staging defined five patients with stage T3bNoMo disease, one patient with stage T3bN₁Mo, and one patient with stage T3bNoM 1 disease.¹ At operation one patient had tumour thrombus filling the right atrium. Two patients had tumour thrombus within the intrahepatic vena cava and four infrahepatic tumour thrombus. The mean follow-up is 34.4 months (median 40 months). Four patients have been followed for over 4 years. Three of these patients are survivors, two have remained disease-free since their initial surgery. The other patient had a liver resection at 49 months for a solitary metastases; he is currently disease free. One patient died at 38 months from a gastrointesinal haemorrhage. Three patients are 12 months or less postoperation. Operative mortality was zero. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 14.7 days. Data suggests that 3–10% of renal cell carcinomas will involve the inferior vena cava.² The small number of patients in this series suggests that many patients with renal cell carcinoma involving the inferior vena cava are not referred for surgical assessment. These patients are potential surgical candidates. Their survival after surgical resection, excluding the group with extension of tumour thrombus into the hepatic cava or above, is not reduced when compared with other patients with renal carcinoma.^3,4     

Interposition mesocaval H shunt associated with a left inferior vena cava.

Variations in the anatomy of the inferior vena cava are important in abdominal surgery. A patient with recurrent bleeding from esophageal varices was noted to have a single left inferior vena cava at the time of panangiography. An interposition mesocaval H shunt subsequently was performed successfully. This represents the first reported case in which a mesocaval H shunt has been performed in a patient with a single left inferior vena cava.     

Strategy for hepatoblastoma with major vascular involvement: A guide for surgical decision-making

BackgroundSurgical management of tumor thrombus extending to the major vascular system for children with hepatoblastoma is challenging and insufficiently discussed.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of hepatoblastoma with tumor thrombus extending to the major vascular system (inferior vena cava, 3 hepatic veins, and portal vein trunk) treated at our center between May 2010 and June 2021. We describe our preoperative assessment, surgical strategies, and outcomes.ResultsWe identified 9 patients (median age at the diagnosis: 3.4 years). All patients received chemotherapy before liver surgery. At the time of the diagnosis, tumor thrombus extended to the portal vein trunk (n = 6), inferior vena cava (n = 3), and 3 hepatic veins (n = 2). Among the 9 patients, 4 underwent liver resection. Liver transplantation was performed in 5 patients. The inferior vena cava wall was circumferentially resected for tumor removal in 1 patient and partially resected in 2 patients. One patient underwent liver transplantation using veno-venous bypass. Patients with tumor thrombus extending to the portal vein trunk were more likely to be managed by liver transplantation in comparison to those with tumor thrombus spreading to the inferior vena cava. The median follow-up period was 5.5 years. One patient underwent transhepatic balloon dilatation for biliary stricture after liver resection. Tumor recurrence was seen in 3 patients (33.3%; lung, n = 2; lymph node and liver, n = 1). No patients died during the follow-up period.ConclusionSurgical intervention for pediatric hepatoblastoma with tumor thrombus extending into the major vascular system is safe, feasible, and achieves excellent outcomes.     

达芬奇机器人手术系统辅助下腔静脉滤器取出术的临床疗效

目的达芬奇机器人手术系统辅助下下腔静脉滤器取出术的临床疗效。 方法采用回顾性描述性研究方法,收集2019年7月陆军军医大学西南医院血管外科收治的亚洲首例行达芬奇机器人手术系统辅助下下腔静脉滤器取出术患者的临床资料。患者下腔静脉滤器置入术后2个月余,血管腔内技术无法取出下腔静脉中的滤器,在达芬奇机器人手术系统辅助下取出下腔静脉滤器。观察指标：术中及术后情况;随访及生存情况。采用门诊进行随访,了解患者术后生存情况。随访时间截至2019年8月。 结果患者成功行达芬奇机器人手术系统辅助下下腔静脉滤器取出术。手术时间326 min,术中出血量100 ml,完成下腔静脉滤器取出术后,下腔静脉切口吻合良好,无出血及狭窄,无术中并发症发生。患者术后住院时间3 d。随访及生存情况：患者术后随访1个月,腹部穿刺套管孔愈合良好,患者生存良好。 结论达芬奇机器人手术系统辅助下下腔静脉滤器取出术安全可行。     

Off-Pump Open Pulmonary Embolectomy for Major Bilateral Pulmonary Emboli: Report of a Case

Acute massive or submassive pulmonary artery thromboembolism causes sudden hemodynamic deterioration, warranting immediate surgery. We report the case of a 67-year-old woman who suffered a syncopal attack resulting in shock, 3 weeks after undergoing orthopedic surgery. Preoperative radiologic imaging studies, including a lung perfusion scan, chest scan, and venography, showed a major bilateral pulmonary artery embolism (PE) originating from a leg vein. An inferior vena cava filter was inserted preoperatively during the venography. We performed an open pulmonary embolectomy without cardiopulmonary bypass by using a submammary trans-sternal bilateral thoracotomy approach. The patient recovered uneventfully and has been well for 13 months.     

Large uterine fibroids causing mechanical obstruction of the inferior vena cava and subsequent thrombosis: a case report.

A 35-year-old woman presented with severe left leg swelling and pain after a spontaneous abortion of a 20-week fetus. Duplex ultrasound imaging confirmed venous thrombosis of the left iliac, common femoral, superficial femoral, deep femoral, greater saphenous, posterior tibial, and popliteal, peroneal, and soleal veins. A computed tomography scan showed large uterine fibroids that were completely compressing the distal inferior vena cava and both ureters, with associated hydronephrosis. A magnetic resonance venography showed the inferior vena cava proximal to the mechanical obstruction was free of thrombosis but was dilated at 27 mm in the suprarenal location. A hysterectomy was performed and an 8-pound uterus was removed. Intraoperative ultrasound of the inferior vena cava showed a patent crescent shaped vein with no thrombus and adequate venous blood flow. Pathology of the uterus showed a large leiomyoma with necrosis. Her lower extremity symptoms resolved.     

A case of thoracic esophageal cancer with an unusual type of duplicated inferior vena cava

We describe here a thoracic esophageal cancer with an unusual type of duplicated inferior vena cava. A 58-year-old man was referred to our hospital because a tumor in his lower esophagus had been identified by endoscopy and radiology. Computed tomography scans showed an unusual type of duplicated inferior vena cava characterized by both common iliac veins flowing back into the left-sided inferior vena cava, which drained into the azygos vein, whereas the right-sided one had no drainage. Esophagectomy was performed 3 weeks later after preoperative chemotherapy. Because the patient could have developed thrombosis of the left-sided inferior vena cava and severe hypotension caused by decreased venous return to the heart if the azygos vein had been severed, the azygos vein was preserved. Thus, when performing surgery for thoracic esophageal cancer, the surgeon should check for a duplicated inferior vena cava and preserve the azygos vein if necessary.     

Segmental resection of tumoral invasion of the inferior vena cava without reconstruction

STUDY AIM: Oncological complete surgery of retroperitoneal tumours may require segmental resection of part of the invaded inferior vena cava. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess whether reconstruction of the inferior vena cava is necessary and presents any advantage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included four patients who underwent partial resection of the inferior vena cava invaded by a retroperitoneal tumour, without reconstruction. Tumours were one renal cancer, one malignant phaeochromocytoma, one malignant retroperitoneal histiofibroma and one undifferentiated retroperitoneal carcinoma. The resection was located at the level of the renal confluence, associated with right nephrectomy, in 3 patients, and above this confluence, at the level of the retrohepatic inferior vena cava in 1 patient. RESULTS: Only one case of transient acute renal failure was observed during the postoperative course. One patient developed right deep vein thrombosis after three months and another one after 30 months. One patient died from cancer recurrence after 19 months. The other 3 patients were alive with anticoagulant therapy and without sequelae after 3, 6 and 15 years.     

经皮肾镜术中误入下腔静脉伴血栓形成一例并文献复习

目的探讨经皮肾镜碎石取石术（percutaneous nephrolithotomy, PCNL）中穿刺误入下腔静脉,留置肾造瘘管后出现下腔静脉血栓的处理办法。 方法结合文献复习,回顾性分析2017年5月我院收治的1例左肾铸型结石患者的临床资料。患者男,59岁,于全麻下行左PCNL。术中穿刺建立通道后出血汹涌,视野不清,中止手术,留置并夹闭肾造瘘管。术后第3日复查CT提示肾造瘘管经左肾静脉、下腔静脉至肝脏,下腔静脉内血栓形成。行经皮下腔静脉及左肾动脉造影,置入下腔静脉滤器及溶栓导管,透视监视下拔出左肾造瘘管。 结果拔出肾造瘘管后,患者无不良反应,血流动力学状态稳定,反复经导管造影,未见造影剂外溢。经溶栓治疗后,术后第11日再次行下腔静脉造影未见充盈缺损,顺利回收滤器。 结论PCNL术中穿刺误入下腔静脉,留置肾造瘘管伴下腔静脉血栓形成时,在血管造影辅助下分步缓慢拔出肾造瘘管并行溶栓治疗的方法安全、可靠,可避免外科手术的二次伤害及血栓相关并发症的发生。     

Bypass of Superior Vena Cava with Spiral Vein Graft

The superior vena cava was successfully bypassed in a patient with superior vena cava syndrome due to granulomatous mediastinitis. A spiral vein graft constructed from autogenous vein was utilized. Complete relief of symptoms and graft patency documented by venography six months after the operation confirm the usefulness of this procedure in patients with superior vena cava obstruction.     

The role of cardiopulmonary bypass in the management of retrohepatic vena cava injury – A case report and review of the literature

Injuries to the retrohepatic vena cava are extremely rare and are associated with an operative mortality of up to 50% even in high volume trauma centres. We present a patient with such an injury who underwent successful repair using cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.A 23 year old male was transferred to our unit following laparotomy with packing of the abdomen after uncontrolled haemorrhage from the retrohepatic vena cava was experienced. The patient was placed on full cardiopulmonary bypass and cooled to 20 °C before clamping of the supracoeliac aorta and inferior vena cava. This facilitated exposure of the retrohepatic cava and allowed successful primary repair of a 5 cm laceration.Other techniques to allow repair of these injuries, such as atriocaval shunts and total vascular exclusion of the liver, are associated with a high mortality. We believe the technique described in this case report is an alternative strategy that can be used successfully to manage life threatening from the retrohepatic vena cava.     

复杂可回收下腔静脉滤器回收的方法和技巧：附29例分析

目的:探讨复杂可回收下腔静脉滤器回收的方法和技巧。方法:回顾性分析29例复杂滤器回收的下肢深静脉血栓形成患者资料。所有患者均先行造影了解滤器情况;对回收钩贴壁患者,分别采用猪尾管支撑技术、导丝成攀及搅拌技术、双向导丝技术、鹅颈抓捕器与成攀导丝结合技术等回收;对下腔静脉继发血栓患者,必要时再次新置滤器1枚,经溶栓、吸栓处理后,将滤器回收。结果:成功回收24例,1例患者滤器未能成功回收,4例放弃,回收率83.9%。术中无下腔静脉破裂出血、肺栓塞并发症,取出滤器完整、无折断现象。至少随访半年,下腔静脉血流通畅、无血栓形成,腹腔无明显积液。结论:导管、导丝及鹅颈抓捕器辅助,溶栓、吸栓等方法可增加复杂可回收下腔静脉滤器回收率,可减少长期留置引起相关并发症。     

Should the inferior vena cava be reconstructed after resection for malignant tumors?

BACKGROUND: Caval replacement after circumferential resection of the inferior vena cava remains controversial. The aim of the current study is to determine whether or not inferior vena cava replacement should be performed. METHODS: We reviewed 36 cases undergoing resection of the inferior vena cava concomitant with resection of malignant neoplasms. Our criteria for circumferential resection of the inferior vena cava were half or more of the circumference of the vessel wall invaded by tumor, a primary tumor of the caval wall, or massive intraluminal tumor thrombus suspected of adhering to the caval wall. We detailed 10 patients undergoing circumferential resection of the inferior vena cava. RESULTS: Most of patients who did not undergo replacement of the inferior vena cava showed no sign of swelling of the lower limbs, but one showed persistent leg edema with oliguria. This patient had poor development of collateral circulation and mild obstruction of the inferior vena cava before surgery. Two patients who underwent replacement of inferior vena cava had no venous sequelae, although they had poor development of collateral circulation before surgery. CONCLUSION: Caval replacement after circumferential resection of the inferior vena cava may be necessary in patients who have preoperative poor development of collateral circulation or who have oliguria or unstable hemodynamics intraoperatively.     

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm with left-sided inferior vena cava

We present a case of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm with left-sided inferior vena cava. An 82-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a sudden onset of severe abdominal pain and loss of consciousness. Computed tomography revealed rupture of an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm and a left-sided inferior vena cava. At surgery, the inferior vena cava was found to cross anteriorly over the abdominal aorta at the usual level of the renal vein. Graft replacement was successfully performed, with careful mobilization and retraction of the inferior vena cava. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course without any deterioration of renal function.