In Reply to: Case 0298_03 --Reconstruction of a chronically occluded iliac vein posted by Editor on February 03, 1998 at 12:00:15:
Charlie,
Good case. Couple of comments. We had a similar case during my time at Hopkins-the patient was much younger but with similar presenting symptoms. CDVT demonstrated a segment of Iliac vein that was patent which I think would have been overlooked otherwise. Reconstruction with a Wallstent yielded a technical success but there was mild stenosis at either end of the stent on followup. In animal studies, (RSNA-Andrews R), we had shown that there is increased stenosis at the end of a stent subjected to the motion associated with spanning a joint. This may condemn the patient to a lifetime of anticoagulation (may not be so bad considering the alternative). Nice case.