Sang Kim1,2, Scott Kunkel3, Kristin Browske1,2. 1. U.S. Navy Aviation Medicine, Marine Aircraft Group 14, PO Box 8051, Cherry Point, NC 28533. 2. Naval Hospital Clinic Cherry Point, 4389 Beaufort Road, Havelock, NC 28532. 3. Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226.
Abstract
Introduction: Anomalies of the inferior vena cava (AIVC) are rare but well-recognized anatomic abnormalities that can lead to clinically significant deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a subset of otherwise healthy patients. This report illustrates an uncommon congenital anomaly that military clinicians should consider when evaluating unprovoked DVT in young patients. Materials and Methods: Single case report and literature review. Results: We describe a case of a 24-yr-old United States Marine who presented with abdominal pain for 2 wk. After conservative therapy failed, a contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan was performed. The CT scan revealed an absent inferior vena cava with evidence of right venous thrombophlebitis. We include four contrast-enhanced helical CT scans that illustrate this phenomenon. Conclusion: Due to the lack of available studies and data, we do not know the relative risk of DVT in patients with AIVC. However, the literature review suggests that there is a pro-thrombogenic effect of this congenital anomaly. Clinicians should include AIVC in their differential when treating young, otherwise healthy patients with unprovoked DVT. This population is much more likely to have an AIVC than the general population. In addition to thrombophilia markers, a contrast-enhanced CT scan should be considered as part of the initial workup. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States 2017. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.
Introduction: Anomalies of the inferior vena cava (AIVC) are rare but well-recognized anatomic abnormalities that can lead to clinically significant deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a subset of otherwise healthy patients. This report illustrates an uncommon congenital anomaly that military clinicians should consider when evaluating unprovoked DVT in young patients. Materials and Methods: Single case report and literature review. Results: We describe a case of a 24-yr-old United States Marine who presented with abdominal pain for 2 wk. After conservative therapy failed, a contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan was performed. The CT scan revealed an absent inferior vena cava with evidence of right venous thrombophlebitis. We include four contrast-enhanced helical CT scans that illustrate this phenomenon. Conclusion: Due to the lack of available studies and data, we do not know the relative risk of DVT in patients with AIVC. However, the literature review suggests that there is a pro-thrombogenic effect of this congenital anomaly. Clinicians should include AIVC in their differential when treating young, otherwise healthy patients with unprovoked DVT. This population is much more likely to have an AIVC than the general population. In addition to thrombophilia markers, a contrast-enhanced CT scan should be considered as part of the initial workup. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States 2017. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.
Entities:
Keywords:
Absent inferior vena cava; Anomalies of the Inferior Vena Cava; Deep Vein Thrombosis; Inferior vena cava; Naval Aviation Medicine; United States Marine Corps