Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) occurs in primary and secondary forms. The primary form is failure of the valves in the ovarian and internal iliac veins. The secondary form occurs when there is a blocked or compressed vein and the blood flow is diverted in to the pelvic veins. The most common cause is iliac vein compression followed by left renal vein compression (nutcracker phenomena).
It is extremely important to understand the different variants of PCS as the treatment is different. The example below is from a patient with PCS secondary to iliac vein compression. The left common iliac vein is compressed by the right common iliac artery (May Thruner Syndrome). This results in the blood leaving the left flow to drain through the pelvic veins leading to PCS. Treatment in this situation is directed at relieving the iliac vein compression by stenting and venoplasty.
Renal vein stent placed for Nutracker Syndrome was placed too far into the IVC and causing pain. Stent was partially removed.
82 year old male, heavy smoker, developed right heel ulcer during rehab after a femur fracture.