HYPOPLASIA OF THE INFERIOR VENA CAVA ASSOCIATED TO DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS IN THE LOWER LIMBS

Introduction. Congenital abnormalities of the inferior vena cava (IVC), such as absence or hypoplasia, are infrequent defects that are probably the result of aberrant development during embryogenesis. These abnormalities seem to favour both venous stasis and the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Case report. A 27-year-old female with an episode of DVT 10 years before, and no alterations in the thrombophilic study. A later study revealed hypoplasia in the perirenal segment of the IVC with hypertrophy of the azygos and hemiazygos system. The patient has had no new episodes of DVT despite not being on anticoagulant therapy. Conclusions. The absence of IVC is a rare congenital anomaly, and is considered to be an important risk factor for developing DVT. Its existence should be suspected in cases of DVT in young people where there is no other apparent cause; imaging tests (computerised axial tomography or magnetic resonance) must be performed to be able to diagnose it. The treatment and prognosis of these patients are still largely unknown.