Inferior vena cava (IVC) atresia is a rare congenital vascular malformation. We describe the case of a 20-year-old woman with IVC atresia who presented with a 3-month history of fatigue, oedema of the lower limbs and episodes of lipothymia. Transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac catheterization were performed, revealing interruption of the IVC with circulation through the azygos and hemiazygos system. An abdominal and pelvic computerized tomography (CT) scan confirmed the findings, demonstrating the absence of the IVC below the renal veins. Blood tests did not reveal any relevant results. These findings are consistent with the diagnosis of IVC atresia, a rare condition with no standard treatment. As a surgical approach was not possible, pharmacological measures were implemented for primary prevention of possible thrombotic events.
A male patient in his late 30s with a history of Lynch syndrome and colorectal cancer relapse, which recently started chemotherapy, was admitted to the emergency department with acute lower limb weakness that had progressed to all limbs and resulted in complete flaccid paresis with general areflexia. Blood tests showed severe hyperkalaemia, severe acute kidney injury and hyperuricaemia. Ultrasound showed bilateral hydronephrosis due to pelvic mass obstruction. Hyperkalaemia correction measurements were started as well as rasburicase with the assumption of tumour lysis syndrome and postrenal kidney injury. The patient showed a favourable clinical response with complete return of limb movement in the following hours and progressive recovery of renal function in the following days. This case highlights the need for prompt diagnosis and correction of severe hyperkalaemia, and its multiple possible causes, as it can lead to acute flaccid paralysis and a fatal outcome.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.