Imaging findings and clinical features of abdominal vascular compression syndromes

• Published in: American journal of roentgenology (1976) Vol. 203; no. 1; pp. 29 - 36
• Main Authors: Fong, Jeffrey Kah Keng, Poh, Angeline Choo Choo, Tan, Andrew Gee Seng, Taneja, Ranu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.2014
• Subjects: Abdomen - blood supply; Arterial Occlusive Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Celiac Artery; Contrast Media; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Ligaments; May-Thurner Syndrome - diagnostic imaging; Renal Nutcracker Syndrome - diagnostic imaging; Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome - diagnostic imaging; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; CT; compression; syndrome; vascular; abdomen
• ISSN: 0361-803X; 1546-3141
• DOI: 10.2214/AJR.13.11598

This article describes the typical imaging findings and clinical features that are associated with four abdominal vascular compression syndromes. We explain the underlying pathophysiology that results in these clinical syndromes so that the patient subset who will benefit from treatment can be identified. The abdominal vascular compression syndromes discussed here are uncommon and are potentially easily missed on a cursory review of radiologic examinations, particularly in a nonspecific and vague clinical setting. Hence, knowledge of the typical imaging findings and associated clinical symptoms is essential so that the they can be carefully sought and excluded. However, because these findings may also exist in healthy individuals as anatomic variants, it is important to correlate radiologic findings with clinical symptoms to identify the subset of patients who will benefit from treatment.