Background: Membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava is common in African and Asian countries.
Methods and results: Between January 1999 and January 2002, 19 patients were prospectively studied. The mean age of the patients was 38+/-6.9 years. All of them had swelling of the abdomen and ankle edema. Five patients (26.3%) had jaundice, 9 (47.3%) had hepatomegaly, and 5 (26.3%) splenomegaly. Ultrasonography could detect the site of obstruction in 18 patients (94.7%). Vena cavography demonstrated obstruction of the inferior vena cava at the level of the diaphragm, with 2 patients (10.5%) having additional intrahepatic obstruction. The mean pressure gradient was 22+/-3.5 mmHg. Seventeen patients underwent balloon angioplasty using a Joseph balloon. The procedure was successful in 15 patients (88.2%). The post-angioplasty mean pressure gradient was 5+/-1.4 mmHg. On follow-up, 3 patients (20%) developed features of restenosis: out of them, 2 underwent successful redilatation.
Conclusions: Balloon angioplasty of membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava is feasible with a high success rate, without any rupture of the inferior vena cava.