Intraoperative ultrasonography for location of proximal limit of inferior vena caval thrombosis

Abstract

Appropriate surgical management of inferior vena caval thrombosis is dependent on the proximal limit of the thrombus. Cavograms, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging all have their shortcomings in locating this limit. Intraoperative ultrasonography has allowed us to determine the exact proximal limit of vena caval thrombosis in two patients, one with suprarenal thrombosis, the other with infrarenal thrombosis. In the first patient, caval interruption and clearance of the inferior vena cava was greatly enhanced by the use of this method. Intraoperative sonography is useful in the surgical treatment of thrombosis of the inferior vena cava.