Deep vein thrombosis due to May-Thurner syndrome: a case report

May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) or Cockett’s syndrome is a rare clinical syndrome, which refers to the compression of the left common iliac vein (LCIV) by right common iliac artery and vertebral body. Complications of MTS include deep vein thrombus formation and even life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

Here, we report the case of a 60-year-old female patient with a complaint of swelling in the left lower limb and pain for 5 days. Computed tomography angiography indicated MTS, and thrombus formation of left external iliac vein and femoral vein. The patient was diagnosed with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and MTS. The patient underwent ascending venography from the lower extremity to inferior vena cava (IVC) and then to the pulmonary artery with IVC filter implantation, left iliac vein balloon plasty, and stent placement. The patient visited the hospital for the removal of IVC filter, 28 days after the operation. After the interventional therapy, the patient had no in-stent restenosis and had remission during the 2-year follow-up.

This case presents a successful management of MTS in presence of DVT. Although clinicians are rarely aware, the presence of unilateral lower limb swelling and thrombosis may be the manifestations of MTS.