Causes of the Inferior Vena Cava Syndrome

 

Intraluminal obstruction:

(1) thrombosis secondary to hypercoagulable syndrome (antiphospholipid syndrome, other)

(2) tumor thrombus (renal carcinoma, adrenal carcinoma, other)

(3) leiomyosarcoma or other tumor of the inferior vena cava

(4) thrombosis of an IVC filter (Greenfield, other)

 

Extrinsic compression or other involvement:

(1) tumor

(2) benign cyst

(3) parasitic cyst

(4) morbid obesity

(5) intra-abdominal hemorrhage

(6) biloma

(7) foreign body

 

The term idiopathic obstruction of the IVC is used when none of the above conditions are present. Some may be due to development of a congenital membrane that obstructs the inferior vena cava.