Balloon Test for Iliac Vein Compression

Overview

Iliac vein compression is a common cause of leg or abdominal complaints and is difficult to diagnose. Although a combination of duplex ultrasonography, magnetic resonance venography and two-plane phlebography are able to show compression, not all suspected iliac vein compressions can be identified. Intravascular ultrasound appears to have a higher diagnostic value, but is far more expensive. In our experience a balloon occlusion test in the common iliac vein during phlebography can diagnose iliac vein compression due to the collateral network that is visualised. The general consensus is that pelvic collaterals are a sign of pathology, though the investigators would like to validate this test by showing that a balloon occlusion test in healthy subjects does not identify a collateral network.

Rationale: Iliac vein compression is a common cause of leg or abdominal complaints and is difficult to diagnose. Although a combination of duplex ultrasonography, magnetic resonance venography and two-plane phlebography are able to show compression, not all suspected iliac vein compressions can be identified. Intravascular ultrasound appears to have a higher diagnostic value, but is far more expensive. In the investigators' experience a balloon occlusion test in the common iliac vein during phlebography can diagnose iliac vein compression due to the collateral network that is visualised. The general consensus is that pelvic collaterals are a sign of pathology, though the investigators would like to validate this test by showing that a balloon occlusion test in healthy subjects does not identify a collateral network. Objective: The objective of this study is to identify whether venography with balloon occlusion of the common iliac vein has value in the diagnosis of iliac vein compression syndrome. Study design: This is an observational study in healthy subjects compared to a patient population with suspected iliac vein compression. Study population: Healthy subjects between the ages of 18 and 45 and patients with suspected iliac vein compression who show no signs of compression on venography. Diagnostic test: Subjects will undergo a diagnostic phlebography, during which the common iliac vein is occluded by balloon inflation and contrast is injected to identify whether a network of pelvic collaterals will appear. Main study parameters/endpoints: The main endpoint of this study is the presence of collaterals that cross the midline after balloon occlusion of the left common iliac vein, which is scored as present or not Additionally, a quantitive analysis of collaterals will be performed.