Inferior vena cava anomalies are rare, occurring in up to 8.7% of the population, as left renal vein anomalies are considered. The inferior vena cava develops from the sixth to the eighth gestational weeks, originating from three paired embryonic veins, namely the subcardinal, supracardinal and postcardinal veins. This complex ontogenesis of the inferior vena cava, with multiple anastomoses bet...

A right-sided thoracotomy was performed for pulmonary metastases in an asymptomatic patient. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan showed partial thrombosis or agenesis of the inferior vena cava (Fig. 1). Intra-operatively, an impressive dilation of the azygos vein was noted (Fig. 2). The azygos vein or superior vena cava was not invaded by tumour. Fig. 1. Preoperative thoracic CT scan sho...

The renal veins drain the kidney into the inferior vena cava and unite in a variable fashion to form the renal vein. The left renal vein is normally located in front of the aorta. However, the retro-aortic renal vein may course posterior to the aorta due to embryological developmental anomalies. During educational dissection, a rare variation of the left renal vein was found in a 66-year old ma...

At present there is no reliable method of recognising atrial isomerism by two dimensional echocardiography. We therefore used two dimensional echocardiography to examine 158 patients including 25 with atrial isomerism and four with situs inversus. Particular attention was paid to the short and long axis subcostal scans of the abdomen. Using the position of the inferior vena cava and the aorta w...

Figure 1 Photographs (A; case 1 and B; case 2) and illustrations of Figure 1A (C) and Figure 1B (D) showing double superior vena cava: right connected to right atrium and left to the coronary sinus. pLSVC: persistent left superior vena cava; RSVC; right superior vena cava; CS: coronary sinus; LV: left ventricle; RA: right atrium; AA ascending aorta; IVC: inferior vena cava. In both cases, the v...

INTRODUCTION Vena cava compression is a relatively rare initial manifestation of underlying malignancy. The superior vena cava syndrome, which is characterized by facial plethora, jugular venous distension, and arm swelling, is a well-known entity associated with bronchogenic carcinoma. Less common is the compression of the inferior vena cava. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first repo...

Contrast M-mode and two-dimensional ultrasonography of the inferior vena cava were performed in 65 patients with various acquired and congenital cardiac disorders. After saline was injected into a peripheral arm vein, the inferior vena cava was visualized by both methods in 60 patients (92%). The M-mode approach was better for correlating the appearance of contrast within the inferior vena cava...

Dysgenesis of the inferior vena cava is rare but it is being increasingly diagnosed by cross-sectional imaging techniques. Patients are usually asymptomatic with abnormalities detected incidentally. An 11 year old boy presented with a 10 day history of fever, vomiting and abdominal pain, which progressed to his back and lower limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging, computerised tomography and Dopple...

Lacerations of the inferior vena cava are associated with a high mortality and may be difficult to repair. The majority of injuries are due to penetrating trauma. Rapid transportation to definitive surgical care with effective resuscitation may improve mortality. Surgical management includes adequate treatment of hypovolemic shock due to blood loss. Placement of intravenous infusion sites below...