Congenital absence of the inferior vena cava as a risk factor for pulmonar thromboembolism

The absence of the inferior vena cava is a rare congenital anomaly. Currently its diagnosis is based on non-invasive imaging techniques (computerised axial tomagraphy and nuclear magnetic resonance). In most cases, it constitutes a casual finding upon practising these image tests unrelated to this congenital anomaly. In the symptomatic patients, the complaints associated are secondary to venous insufficiency and/or deep vein thrombosis. Recently the congenital absence of inferior vena cava has been described as a risk factor of deep vein thrombosis in young patients. We present a case of congenital absence of inferior vena cava that was admitted in our hospital because of pulmonary thromboembolism.