Radiological evaluation of inferior vena cava obstruction: pictorial essay

The clinical diagnosis of inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction is often difficult, since patients may present with a multitude of signs and symptoms. The clinical manifestations depend on several factors: the underlying cause, the level of obstruction, the adequacy of collateral circulation, the presence of intercurrent disease, and the organ system involved. Although the most common clinical manifestations are deep venous thrombosis in the legs, abdominal pain, low back pain, loin pain and hematuria, patients may present with unusual and varied pathologic conditions. IVC obstruction may resemble or be associated with such conditions as congestive cardiac failure, cirrhosis of the liver or renal disease. (author)