[Interventional radiology in central venous obstructions. Dilatation--stent implantation--thrombolysis].
OBJECTIVE
Venous congestion of the superior or inferior caval system has to be considered as a medical emergency. The results of various recanalization procedures and their utility are analyzed.


METHODS
176 patients with superior and 28 with inferior caval obstruction were treated with Gianturco-Z (n = 39) and Wall Stents (n = 207) respectively. Balloon venoplasty was performed prior to stent implanation. In 27 cases, local thrombolysis with urokinase was employed.


RESULTS
Interventional procedures were successful in 198 and without success in 6 patients. In most patients, symptoms were relieved during or early after recanalization. No major complications were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Balloon angioplasty with stent placement and local thrombolysis are successful in the treatment of superior and inferior caval obstruction. Self-expanding Wallstents are superior to Gianturco-Z-stents. Oncologists should be made familiar with this type of treatment.
Mathias
K
K
Radiologische Klinik, Städtische Kliniken, Dortmund.
Jäger
H
H
Willaschek
J
J
Theophil
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017130:Angioplasty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods; D015607:Stents; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery