What is the polo mint sign?
The appearance of thrombus occupying a vascular lumen with just a rim of surrounding contrast. Name given due to its similarity to the confectionary mint called a polo, available internationally.
With which tumour does one most associate IVC thrombosis with?
Renal cell carcinoma, given its proximity. In this case it is usually tumour thrombus, rather than bland thrombus. It is important to directly assess for IVC/left renal vein involvement.
What are the different causes of bland IV thrombosis?
Hypercoagulable states; venous stasis; external compression (e.g. tumour, lymphadenopathy); foreign bodies (e.g. IVC filters); extension from benign tumours (e.g. angiomyolipoma)
The mint from which the name arises - the hole presenting the thrombus. The mint itself the intra-luminal contrast rim.