Complete obstruction of the inferior vena cava due to chronic relapsing pancreatitis: a case report.

A woman aged 62 with long history of chronic relapsing pancreatitis presented with swelling and ulcer in the lower limbs and occasional gastrointestinal bleeding. The radiological imaging showed complete obstruction of Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) at the level of the pancreas and well developed collateral vessels. Portal vein and splenic vein were also obstructed and superior mesenteric venous blood drained into the liver via coronary vein. She was originally found to have pancreas head tumor, which was not resectable. A palliative operation was performed, but histological examination of pancreatic specimen suggested only chronic inflammation and no evidence of malignancy. She was diagnosed as tumor-forming type chronic pancreatitis. Although SPV or SMV-PV obstruction has been recognized as a complication of chronic pancreatitis, IVC obstruction can occur by the same mechanism. This is the only case but one ever reported. Not only splenoportography but IVC-graphy will contribute to more precise understanding of patient's condition with chronic pancreatitis.