ABSTRACT
Endovascular management of iliac vein obstructions has become well accepted in recent years, with good technical and clinical outcome. Obstructions of the common femoral veins (CFV), iliac veins (IV), or inferior vena cava (IVC) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recanalization and stenting of the obstructed IVs and the IVC is only offered to patients with symptoms due to the venous obstruction or in those who had deep vein thrombosis immediately distal to IVC or IV obstruction. For imaging of the IVs and, in particular, the distal end of the IVC, ultrasound becomes significantly less dependable and sensitive. The CFV is also well visualized, but the IVs and the IVC are often poorly opacified because of the diluted contrast and because the blood is often diverted away by collaterals because of central obstruction. The great saphenous vein can also be well evaluated, which is another important point in the evaluation of the possible candidate for IVC recanalization.
