A Case Series of May-Thurner Syndrome: An Anatomical Variation Leading to a Life-threatening Condition

Abstract

May-Thurner syndrome is a rare clinical condition resulting from anatomical variation, where patients present with unilateral left lower limb swelling due to a thrombus in the left common iliac vein. This occurs as a result of compression of the left common iliac vein by the right common iliac artery. The condition is more commonly observed in females and can lead to life-threatening pulmonary thromboembolism. Early diagnosis and interventional management, such as stenting and placement of an Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filter, can help prevent pulmonary embolism. In the present case series, four patients were included. Two of them presented with the classical clinical history of unilateral left lower limb oedema and calf muscle tenderness. One of these patients underwent stenting of the left common iliac vein and placement of an IVC filter. In the other two patients, abdominal complaints prompted the performance of Multidetected Computed Tomography (MDCT), and incidentally, left common iliac vein thrombus secondary to May-Thurner syndrome was detected.

Keywords

• calf muscle tenderness
• iliac vein compression syndrome
• lower limb swelling
• stent