[Systemic disease and thrombosis of the major vessels].

Etiologic research into caval syndromes enables distinction to be made between superior caval thrombosis, when there is generally a local cause, and inferior caval lesions that are usually of a general origin. Acute disseminated lupus erythematosus and Behçet's disease should be investigated for, particularly in young patients, when an inflammatory syndrome is detected, and when the thrombus lies in the inferior cava territory.