Varices of inferior epigastric veins caused by chronic inferior vena cava obstruction: mimicking normal venous flow pattern on radionuclide venography

Ann Nucl Med. 2005 May;19(3):235-8. doi: 10.1007/BF02984611.

Abstract

A 21-year-old patient with long-standing inferior vena cava obstruction secondary to idiopathic thrombosis extending from the external iliac veins underwent a radionuclide venography with Tc-99m pertechnetate labeled erythrocytes. The blood pool phase of the study revealed bilaterally distorted inferior epigastric veins mimicking normal venous flow pattern. The authors present this case to discuss the possible alternative routes and the underlying physiopathologic mechanism of this unusual flow pattern in chronic inferior vena cava obstruction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices / diagnostic imaging*
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices / etiology
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phlebography / methods*
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Reference Values
  • Varicose Veins / diagnostic imaging*
  • Varicose Veins / etiology
  • Varicose Veins / physiopathology
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / diagnostic imaging*
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / physiopathology
  • Venous Thrombosis / complications*
  • Venous Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Venous Thrombosis / physiopathology