Endovascular Thrombectomy of Septic Thrombophlebitis of the Inferior Vena Cava: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2018 Nov;52(8):641-647. doi: 10.1177/1538574418779475. Epub 2018 Jun 14.

Abstract

We describe the cases of 2 patients who had septic thrombophlebitis and were successfully managed with endovascular thrombectomy. Patient A developed septic thrombophlebitis of the inferior vena cava after several retroperitoneal resections for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The thrombus was successfully removed via endovascular mechanical balloon thrombectomy. Patient B was a patient with pancreatic adenocarcinoma involving the portal vein who developed a septic inferior vena cava thrombus extending from the level and beyond the renal veins, for which she underwent endovascular thrombectomy. We argue that this approach is safe and feasible. It should be considered as a supplemental treatment modality for select decompensating patients who require lifesaving interventions and have contraindications to traditional management of surgical thrombectomy or excision of the involved venous segment.

Keywords: endovascular; septic thrombophlebitis; thrombectomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Computed Tomography Angiography
  • Endovascular Procedures*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phlebography / methods
  • Sepsis / diagnosis
  • Sepsis / microbiology
  • Sepsis / surgery*
  • Thrombectomy / methods*
  • Thrombophlebitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Thrombophlebitis / microbiology
  • Thrombophlebitis / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / diagnostic imaging
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / microbiology
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / surgery*