May Thurner Syndrome is a medical condition that happens when a vein going from the left leg to the abdomen, called the iliac vein, is pinched. The job of leg veins is to return blood from the feet to the heart. However, when the iliac vein is pinched, this leg vein's blood flow is blocked. This vein blockage can cause leg pain and swelling.
May Thurner Syndrome affects the left leg, but compression can occur on the right iliac vein from other mechanisms. Patients with mild pinching or squeezing might not show any symptoms. Patients with moderate pinching or squeezing may experience chronic left leg pain, heaviness, varicose veins, swelling, or skin changes. Patients with a severely pinched or squeezed left iliac vein may experience a blood clot in the left leg with sudden severe leg swelling, pain, and color changes.
Role of a Vascular Surgeon
Vascular surgeons work as part of the overall healthcare team to treat patients with May Thurner syndrome. For patients experiencing severe symptoms, a vascular surgeon might insert a stent into the iliac vein. If patients develop blood clots or deep vein thrombosis, a vascular surgeon will perform a thrombectomy to remove the clot.
Diagnosis
May Thurner syndrome is usually diagnosed with a pelvic CT scan or MRI. Sometimes, a venogram or intravascular ultrasound is necessary to make the diagnosis.
Patients diagnosed with May-Thurner Syndrome who don’t have any symptoms typically don’t need treatment. Those with mild symptoms may only need to wear compression stockings.
For more severe symptoms, a procedure might be recommended. The most common procedure involves placing a stent in the left iliac vein to help clear the blockage. This endovascular procedure is minimally invasive and is done only with needles, wires, and catheters.