Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo 2012 Volume 140, Issue 5-6, Pages: 359-361
https://doi.org/10.2298/SARH1206359M
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Congenital interruption of the inferior vena cava: A case report
Matić Predrag (Institut za kardiovaskularne bolesti „Dedinje”, Beograd)
Vučurević Goran (Institut za kardiovaskularne bolesti „Dedinje”, Beograd)
Đulejić Vuk (Institut za anatomiju, Medicinski fakultet, Beograd)
Ilijevski Nenad (Institut za kardiovaskularne bolesti „Dedinje”, Beograd)
Radak Đorđe (Institut za kardiovaskularne bolesti „Dedinje”, Beograd)
Introduction. Congenital interruption of the inferior vena cava is a rare
entity. It can be associated with other organ and system malformations,
especially the cardiovascular system. Usually, patients are asymptomatic and
the anomaly is therefore diagnosed incidentally. In some cases it can be of
clinical importance. Case Outline. A 22-year-old female was diagnosed during
evaluation of cardiac symptoms. Clinical examination showed normal findings.
CT angiography and cavography were used to establish the diagnosis of
inferior vena cava interruption. Since there was no need for surgical
intervention the patient was discharged in good condition. During a five year
follow-up no significant health problems were noted with patient leading
normal life. Conclusion. Diagnostic tools used to establish the diagnosis of
inferior vena cava interruption are ultrasonography, as well as CT and MR
angiography and phlebography. Mediastinal masses found on chest roentgenogram
must raise suspicion of inferior vena cava interruption. Although the anomaly
is rare, physicians should be aware of the infrahepatic interruption of the
IVC, especially because it can present at any age.
Keywords: inferior vena cava, interruption, hemiazygos vein, azygos vein, congenital variation