Kidney Transplant Loss Due to May-Thurner Syndrome: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is an extrinsic venous compression by the arterial system against bony structures in the iliocaval territory. The most common variant of MTS is due to compression of the left iliac vein between the overlying right common iliac artery and the fifth lumbar vertebrae. The prevalence of MTS is unknown; therefore, there are only a few publications about MTS in kidney transplant recipients. Risk factors that may progress from usually asymptomatic to symptomatic MTS are female sex, scoliosis, dehydration, coagulation disorders, and radiation. Clinical presentations include acute extremity pain and swelling, venous claudication, and chronic signs of venous insufficiency. We describe a 63-year-old man who underwent kidney transplantation (left iliac fossa). Four days after transplantation, a graftectomy was done due to graft rupture caused by renal vein thrombosis. After imaging studies, a diagnosis of MTS was established. The patient had no typical symptoms of MTS. However, an incidence of right lower limb thrombosis was observed, and due to vertebral discopathy, the patient underwent surgery with implantation of a vertebral implant. After a successful second transplantation on the right side, incidents of thrombosis were observed: superficial thrombosis of the upper limbs and massive deep vein thrombosis of the right lower limb. Thrombophilia was recognized, the graft function is stable, and anticoagulation therapy is being continued. Asymptomatic MTS in the case of coincidence of other risk factors, such as coagulation disorders, history of vertebral operation, and additional pressure of the graft, can result in graft failure.