[Puerperal thrombophlebitis and the ovarian vein with extension to the inferior vena cava].

PURPOSE: To assess US, CT and MR findings in women having puerperal ovarian vein thrombosis with clot protrusion into the inferior vena cava.

PATIENTS, MATERIAL AND

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the duplex US (n = 9), CT (n = 5) and MR (n = 5) examinations of 9 patients with 8 right ovarian vein thrombosis, and one left ovarian vein thrombosis.

RESULTS

US findings allowed for the diagnosis of ovarian vein thrombosis in all patients in showing enlarged tubular echogenic thrombus within the retroperitoneum with clot protrusion in the IVC in all cases. CT scan and MRI demonstrated ovarian vein thrombosis in all the cases in which it was performed but failed to show a mobile thrombus within the IVC in one patient.

CONCLUSION

Duplex US is a reliable technique to show puerperal ovarian vein thrombosis and its extension to the IVC. CT scan and MR imaging can be used to precise the extension to the IVC.