Idiopathic rupture of the iliac vein
L. Brown, F. Sanchez and H. Mannix Jr
Idiopathic rupture of large veins is very rare. There has been one report
in the Portugese literature of such an instance involving the iliac vein.
Our patient was an elderly woman in whom evidence of intra-abdominal
hemorrhage developed. There was no clinical evidence of trauma. At
laparotomy a large retroperitoneal hematoma secondary to an 8-mm tear in
the left common iliac vein was found. The tear occurred adjacent to where
the right common iliac artery passes over the vein. Repair was followed by
uneventful recovery. Results of the pathological examination showed
nonspecific information.
