May-Thurner Syndrome
May-Thurner syndrome, or MTS, is a condition that involves the compression of the left iliac
vein by the right iliac artery deep inside the pelvis limiting venous outflow from the left leg.
Because of the position of this vein and artery, MTS usually only occurs in the patient’s left
leg but can rarely occur on the right. MTS increases the chance of developing deep vein
thrombosis in the leg. Deep vein thrombosis is the partial or complete blockage of blood flow
through a deep vein, usually in the legs, manifesting in the form of a blood clot.
MTS is most prevalent among women between the ages of 20 to 45. Women who have recently had
a child, or have had more than one child also have a higher risk. Scoliosis and the use of
oral birth control can also contribute to a patient’s chance of suffering from May-Thurner
syndrome.