Recurring adventitial cyst in the left external iliac vein

Abstract

Background. Adventitial cystic disease of the veins affects the vessels of the lower limbs, and often appears in the femoral region. The disease presents as swelling of the extremity of several months' evolution. Phlebography shows extrinsic compression of the vein without thrombosis. Simple resection of the cyst leads to better results than does transcutaneous aspiration or drainage.Clinical case. We describe a 56-year-old woman who presented with a swollen left leg. Phlebography showed extrinsic compression of the external iliac vein by a 4 cm cystic mass. Surgical resection of the cyst was followed by recurrence in the retroperitoneal abdominal cavity.