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When an Unidentified Foreign Object Appears in the Inferior Vena Cava: Recognizing the Presence of TIPS Stent on Transthoracic Echocardiographic Imaging
Author(s) -
Nijmeh George,
Frazin Leon J.,
Zelinger Allan
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
echocardiography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1540-8175
pISSN - 0742-2822
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8175.2010.01342.x
Subject(s) - inferior vena cava , medicine , radiology , stent
We describe the case of 65‐year‐old female with a history of hypertension, diabetes, and cirrhosis. In the subcostal view on a routine transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), she is found to have an unidentified round prosthetic appearing object in the inferior vena cava (IVC). Upon further investigation, the object was identified as a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) stent, which was seen in cross section in a hepatic vein draining into the IVC. Most echocardiographers are unfamiliar with the appearance of a TIPS on TTE. Being able to recognize this will help avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary further imaging. (Echocardiography 2011;28:E70‐E71)