Persistent left inferior vena cava
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Overview
- A left inferior vena cava results from regression of the right supracardinal vein with persistence of the left supracardinal vein.
- The prevalence is 0.2%–0.5%
- The major clinical significance of this anomaly is the potential for misdiagnoses as left sided paraaortic lymphadenopathy.
- Spontaneous rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm into a left inferior vena cava has been reported.
- Transjugular access to the infrarenal inferior vena cava for placement of an inferior vena cava filter may be difficult.
- Typically, the left inferior vena cava joins the left renal vein, which crosses anterior to the aorta in the normal fashion, uniting with the right renal vein to form a normal right sided prerenal inferior vena cava. [1] [2]
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![Image 1 - Duplication of inferior vena cava. This is a not uncommon variation. The left sided IVC (black arrow) most commonly ends in the normal left renal vein. Image 2 - Duplication of superior vena cava. This is a rare variation of the SVC. The left sided SVC (white arrow) is draining into the left atrium, thereby bypassing the pulmonary circulation. The right SVC is normal. [3] [4] (Image courtesy of Dr Abhijit Datir)](/images/d/d6/Vena_cava_anomalies.jpg)
Image 1 - Duplication of inferior vena cava. This is a not uncommon variation. The left sided IVC (black arrow) most commonly ends in the normal left renal vein. Image 2 - Duplication of superior vena cava. This is a rare variation of the SVC. The left sided SVC (white arrow) is draining into the left atrium, thereby bypassing the pulmonary circulation. The right SVC is normal. [3] [4] (Image courtesy of Dr Abhijit Datir)
![Image 1 - Duplication of inferior vena cava. This is a not uncommon variation. The left sided IVC (black arrow) most commonly ends in the normal left renal vein. Image 2 - Duplication of superior vena cava. This is a rare variation of the SVC. The left sided SVC (white arrow) is draining into the left atrium, thereby bypassing the pulmonary circulation. The right SVC is normal. [3] [4] (Image courtesy of Dr Abhijit Datir)](/index.php/File:Vena_cava_anomalies.jpg)
See Also
- Azygous continuation of the inferior vena cava
- Double inferior vena cava
- Persistent left superior vena cava
References
- ↑ J. Edward Bass, Michael D. Redwine, Larry A. Kramer, Phan T. Huynh, and John H. Harris, Jr. Spectrum of Congenital Anomalies of the Inferior Vena Cava: Cross-sectional Imaging Findings. RadioGraphics 2000 20: 639-652.
- ↑ Fitoz S, Yalcinkaya F. Compression of left inferior vena cava: a form of nutcracker syndrome. J Clin Ultrasound. 2008 Feb; 36 (2): 101-4. PMID 17636501
- ↑ J. Edward Bass, Michael D. Redwine et al. Spectrum of Congenital Anomalies of the Inferior Vena Cava: Cross-sectional Imaging Findings. RadioGraphics 2000; 20: 639.
- ↑ GM Kellman, MB Alpern, MA Sandler, and BM Craig. Computed tomography of vena caval anomalies with embryologic correlation. RadioGraphics 1988; 8: 533.
External Links
Additional Reading
- Moss and Adams' Heart Disease in Infants, Children, and Adolescents Hugh D. Allen, Arthur J. Moss, David J. Driscoll, Forrest H. Adams, Timothy F. Feltes, Robert E. Shaddy, 2007 ISBN 0781786843