[Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava. Diagnosis--therapy--prognosis].

Leiomyosarcoma of the vena cava inferior is a mesenchymal tumor originating from the smooth muscle fibers of the vascular wall. This tumor is usually slow-growing and expansile growth. Prior to the sonographic and computer-tomographic era the tumor was usually only discovered during autopsy or surgery without any preoperative suspicion. Today, the most efficient imaging methods for exact localization, delineation or demonstration of relations to the vascular lumen and local extent are sonography and computer tomography. Caudal cavography is called upon for preoperative demonstration of the venous collateral circulation and thrombotic vascular occlusion.