Congenital Absence of Inferior Vena Cava in a Young Patient with Iliofemoral Deep Venous Thrombosis Treated with Ultrasound-accelerated Catheter-directed Thrombolysis: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Absence of the inferior vena cava (AIVC) is a rare congenital anomaly and result from aberrant development during embryogenesis. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a frequent finding in healthy young adults who are diagnosed with congenital AIVC. This condition is best diagnosed with color venous Doppler ultrasound and computed tomography angiography or magnetic resonance imaging, and managed using anticoagulation, mechanical catheter-directed thrombectomy, and thrombolysis. Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) followed by systemic anticoagulation and use of compression stockings appears safe and effective in the treatment of patients who present with acute DVT and AIVC. We present a case report of DVT with underlying AIVC treated successfully with CDT and will review the relevant English literature.