Introduction: May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is characterized by
extrinsic compression of the left common iliac vein (LCVI). Diagnosis is
made by combining clinical findings with non-invasive or invasive tests,
and treatment is based on conservative or invasive measures, which can be
open or endovascular surgery. Objective: To highlight the best diagnostic
methods, as well as the positive and negative points of each method, and
to demonstrate the superiority of endovascular treatment in comparison
with conventional treatment. Methods: This is an integrative literature
review, using the data portals LILACS, Google Scholar and PubMed.
Twenty-six studies were used as a theoretical framework. Results: The
searches resulted in 8 types of studies, with a predominance of case
reports due to the scarcity of randomized clinical trials. These were
conducted in 10 different countries. Discussion: MTS is characterized
by signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and deep
vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).
Ultrasound is the initial examination associated with contrast-enhanced
CT, angiotomography, angioresonance or endovascular ultrasound
(IVUS). Initial treatment is conservative and in resistant forms,
conventional or endovascular surgical therapy is used. Conclusion:
TMS is associated with cardiovascular alterations, mainly CVI, DVT and
PTE. Some examples of diagnostic tests are CT, US and phlebography.
After diagnosis, treatment should always be individualized depending
on the patient's clinical condition
