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Inferior vena cava syndrome

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.


Inferior vena cava syndrome (IVCS) is a result of obstruction of the inferior vena cava. It can be caused by invasion or compression by a pathological process or by thrombosis in the vein itself.

Frequency

Frequency

Epidemiological data is elusive owing to the wide variety of clinical presentation. In the U.S., incidence is estimated to be at 5–10 cases per 100’000 per year.

Causes

Causes

Common Causes

Causes by Organ System

Cardiovascular Abdominal aortic aneurysm, Deep vein thrombosis, Hepatic venous thrombosis, Infective phlebitis, Pacemaker wires, Renal vein thrombosis , Vascular catheterization , Vena caval filters
Chemical/Poisoning No underlying causes
Dental No underlying causes
Dermatologic No underlying causes
Drug Side Effect Oral contraceptives
Ear Nose Throat No underlying causes
Endocrine No underlying causes
Environmental No underlying causes
Gastroenterologic Abdominal aortic aneurysm, Acute pancreatitis, Budd-chiari syndrome, Gastric adenocarcinoma, Hepatic abscess, Hepatic hemangioma, Hepatic venous thrombosis, Liver transplants, Pancreatic pseudocysts , Psoa hematoma, Retroperitoneal fibrosis, Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma
Genetic No underlying causes
Hematologic No underlying causes
Iatrogenic Liver transplants, Pacemaker wires, Vascular catheterization , Vena caval filters
Infectious Disease Hepatic abscess, Infective phlebitis, Polycystitis
Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic No underlying causes
Neurologic Adrenal cortical carcinoma
Nutritional/Metabolic No underlying causes
Obstetric/Gynecologic Uterus pressure
Oncologic Adrenal cortical carcinoma, Gastric adenocarcinoma, Hepatic hemangioma, Pancreatic pseudocysts , Psoa hematoma, Renal angiomyolipoma, Renal cell carcinoma, Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma, Seminoma, Teratoma, Tumors
Ophthalmologic No underlying causes
Overdose/Toxicity No underlying causes
Psychiatric No underlying causes
Pulmonary No underlying causes
Renal/Electrolyte Dialysis, Nephrotic syndrome, Polycystitis, Renal angiomyolipoma, Renal cell carcinoma, Renal vein thrombosis 
Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy No underlying causes
Sexual No underlying causes
Trauma No underlying causes
Urologic No underlying causes
Miscellaneous No underlying causes

Causes in Alphabetical Order

Symptoms

Symptoms

IVCS presents with a wide variety of signs and symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose clinically.

  • Edema of the lower extremities
  • Tachycardia
  • In pregnant women, signs of fetal hypoxia and distress may be seen in the CTG



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