To borrow from a medical website:

"May-Thurner Syndrome, also known as iliac vein compression syndrome, describes a condition where pressure builds up in the left common iliac vein, a blood vessel located in the pelvic area, as a result of compression by an artery, known as the right common iliac artery. As a result of the bodys anatomy, the right common iliac artery crosses the left common iliac vein, pressing it against the spine. When compression is severe, blood flow within the vein is compromised and clots can form. "

Regards,
Tom

hilary, thanks... what sent you to get the diagnosis? Were you having symptoms? Also, what did they do to evaluate you? I had a message from one of the docs I called that they'd like me to have an ultrasound to determine if I have it.

I got diagnosed without a DVT - leg swelled and went blue-grey due to the constriction in the vein being so bad, it was almost squashed flat. Then I got the clot in the stents they fitted to correct the MTS, after the drs didn't manage my Warfarin properly.
I was diagnosed with a venogram - not nice but did the trick and showed the problem very clearly even to my completely untrained eye!!

Thanks, scattybat.. there's my other question. I had a return call from the vascular surgeon's office, wanting me to get an ultrasound to check it out. I am awaiting call back from teh interventional radiologists. Which would be best, given the choice? And what would be the best diagnositic testing at this point? keep in mind that i don't even KNOW the lingo...

Hi, the venogram is the clearest test but not at all risk-free and can be painful (drip goes in top of your foot....hurts) but this is the definitive test for MTS, as far as I know.