Intermittent edema of the upper and lower extremities and the abdominal wall caused by membranous stenosis of the superior vena cava and membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava.

We report on a 38-year-old patient with intermittent edema of the lower legs, arms and abdominal wall. The cause for his tendency to develop edema was a membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava and a membranous stenosis of the superior vena cava. The etiology of these anomalies of the vena cava suggests a congenital malformation. In consideration of the cases of inferior and/or superior vena cava-anomalies published to date the patient received an anticoagulant therapy (coumarin) and treatment with graduated compression stockings. He now complains from time to time of a sensation tension in the lower legs after prolonged standing or sitting. Edema of the upper and lower extremities and the abdominal wall have disappeared.