[Cockett's syndrome, May-Thurner syndrome, or iliac vein compression syndrome]

Abstract

Iliac vein compression syndrome (also known as May-Thurner syndrome or Cockett's syndrome) is a rare clinical entity in which the left common iliac vein is compressed when it passes between the right common iliac artery and the spine. The sustained compression and trauma caused by the pulsatile force of the artery on the vein damage the intima and lead to the formation of membranes or bands in the vascular lumen that hinder or obstruct the flow of blood in the vein, favoring thrombus formation. The current treatment strategy of choice is endovascular vein patch angioplasty and stenting with the aim of improving the caliber of the lumen and enabling normal venous drainage. We present two cases of May-Thurner syndrome and review the clinical and CT findings.

Keywords: Computed tomography; Iliac vein; May-Thurner syndrome; Síndrome de May-Thurner; Tomografía computerizada; Trombosis venosa; Vena ilíaca; Venous thrombosis.