May-Thurner Syndrome

Abstract

May-Thurner Syndrome is a rarely diagnosed condition in which patients develop ilio-femoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT) due to an anatomical variant in which the right common iliac artery overlies and compresses the left common iliac vein against the lumbar spine. Early recognition and treatment of this condition can prevent debilitating sequelae of chronic venous hypertension. Accurate diagnostic modalities are transabdominal ultrasound, MRI but the widely available noninvasive MDCT accurately depicts left iliac venous compression by the right iliac artery. May-Thurner Syndrome treatment focuses on improving blood flow and reducing your risk of developing DVT. Treatments are angioplasty and stenting; bypass surgery and surgery to move the right iliac artery. May-Thurner Syndrome is a progressive disease with long-term disabling complications. This type of obstruction may cause leg swelling, varicosities, deep venous thrombosis, chronic venous stasis ulcers, or more serious complications, such as pulmonary embolism or phlegmasia cerulea dolens. In conclusion, May-Thurner Syndrome should be taken into consideration if there is persistent edema of the left leg, especially in young women.