A rare case of retro-hepatic inferior vena caval leiomyosarcoma - Computed tomography, surgical and intraoperative echocardiography imaging

Abstract

Leiomyosarcoma of retro-hepatic portion of inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare vascular tumor with poor prognosis if adequate surgical resection is not achieved. Surgical repair includes dissection of the tumor and reconstruction of the IVC with a tube graft. Establishing a normal flow and gradient in IVC and hepatic veins is imperative for a successful repair. We report a case of retro hepatic IVC leiomyosarcoma where the preoperative computed tomography described the anatomy and extension of the tumor whereas intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography helped in the assessment of adequacy of surgical repair.

Keywords: IVC tumor; intraoperative TEE; retro-hepatic leiomyosarcoma.