Top

Insights into Imaging

Published in:

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Pictorial Review

Inferior vena cava anomalies and variations: imaging and rare clinical findings

Author: Bulent Petik

Published in: Insights into Imaging | Issue 6/2015

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to summarize imaging findings of some frequent and infrequent inferior vena cava (IVC) anomalies and variations.

Conclusions

IVC anomalies should be suspected in patients presenting with pulmonary emboli, chronic pain, and deep vein thrombosis. To correctly characterize and classify IVC anomalies and variations is of crucial importance for proper planning of surgical interventions and thus for avoiding serious complications.

Key Points

• IVC anomalies should be suspected in patients with pulmonary emboli, pain, and venous thrombosis.

• Awareness of IVC anomalies and variations is crucial for clinical and surgical procedures.

• Unawareness of these anomalies may lead to severe and deadly complications.

Abernethy J, Banks J (1793) Account of two instances of uncommon formation, in the viscera of the human body. By Mr. John Abernethy, Assistant Surgeon to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. Communicated by Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. PRS Phil Trans R Soc Lond 83:59–66CrossRef

Bass JE, Redwine MD, Kramer LA, Hyunh PT, Haris JH Jr (2000) Spectrum of congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava: cross-sectional imaging findings. Radiographics 20(3):639–652CrossRefPubMed

Kandpal H, Sharma R, Gamangatti S, Srivastava DN, Vashish S (2008) Imaging the inferior vena cava: a road less traveled. Radiographics 28(3):669–689CrossRefPubMed

Bass JE, Redwine MD, Kramer LA, Harris JH Jr (1999) Absence of the infrarenal inferior vena cava with preservation of the suprarenal segment as revealed by CT and MR venography. AJR Am J Roentegenol 172(6):1610–1312CrossRef

Artico M, Lorenzini D, Mancini P, Gobbi P, Carloia S, David V (2004) Radiological evidence of anatomical variation of the inferior vena cava: report of two cases. Surg Radiol Anat 26(2):153–156CrossRefPubMed

Balzer KM, Pillny M, Luther B, Grabitz K, Sandmann W (2002) Spontaneous rupture of collateral venous aneurysm in a patient with agenesis of the inferior vena cava: a case report. J Vas Surg 36(5):1053–1057CrossRef

Ovalı GY, Örgüç Ş, Serter S, Göktan C, Pekindil G (2006) Vena cava inferior anomalies on computed tomography. Türk Göğüs Kalp Damar Cer Derg 14(2):169–171

Sheth S, Fishman EK (2007) Imaging of the inferior vena cava with MDCT. AJR Am J Roentgenol 189(5):1243–1251CrossRefPubMed

Koc Z, Oguzkurt L (2007) Interruption or congenital stenosis of the inferior vena cava: Prevalance, imaging, and clinical findings. Eur J Radiol 62:257–266CrossRefPubMed

10.

Geley TE, Unsinn KM, Auckenthaler KM, Fink CJ, Gassner I (1999) Azygos Continuation of the inferior vena cava: Sonographic demonstration of the renal artery ventral to the azygos vein as a clue to diagnosis. AJR Am J Roentgenol 172(6):1659–1662CrossRefPubMed

11.

Huntington GS, McClure CFW (1920) The development of the veins in the domestic cat (Felis domestica) with especial reference, 1) to the share taken by the supracardinal veins in the development of the postcava and azygos veins and 2) to the interpretation of the variant conditions of the postcava and its tributaries, as found in the adult. Anat Rec 20(1):1–30

12.

Malaki M, Willis AP, Jones RG (2012) Congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava. Clin Radiol 67:165–171

13.

Paddock M, Robson N (2014) The curious case of the disappearing IVC: A case report and review of the etiology of inferior vena cava agenesis. J Radiol Case Rep 8(4):38–47PubMedCentralPubMed

14.

Iqbal J, Nagaraju E (2008) Congenital absence of inferior vena cava and thrombosis: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2:46PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

15.

Ramanathan T, Huhhes TM, Richardson AJ (2011) Perinatal inferior vena cava thrombosis and absence of the infrarenal inferior vena cava. J Vasc Surg 33(5):1097–1099CrossRef

16.

Mılner LB, Marchan R (1980) Complete absence of the inferior vena cava presenting as a paraspinous mass. Thorax 35(10):798–800PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

17.

Dougherty MJ, Calligaro KD, DeLaurentis DA (1996) Congenitally absent inferior vena cava presenting in adulthood with venous stasis and ulceration: A surgically treated case. J Vasc Surg 23(1):141–146CrossRefPubMed

18.

Lambert M, Marboeuf P, Midulla M, Trillot N, Beregi JP, Mounier-Vehier C (2010) Inferior vena cava agenesis and deep vein thrombosis:10 patients and review of the literature. Vasc Med 15(6):451–459CrossRefPubMed

19.

Wax JR, Pinette MG, Fife J, Blackstone J, Cartin A (2007) Absent infrarenal inferior vena cava. J Ultrasound Med 6(5):699–701

20.

Yang C, Trad HS, Mendonça SM, Trad CS (2013) Congenital inferior vena cava anomalies: a review of findings at multidedector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Radiol Bras 46(4):227–233

21.

Royal SA, Callen PW (1979) CT Evaluation of anomalies of the inferior vena cava and LRV. AJR Am J Roentgenol 132(5):759–763

Title: Inferior vena cava anomalies and variations: imaging and rare clinical findings
Author: Bulent Petik
Publication date: 01-12-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Insights into Imaging / Issue 6/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1869-4101
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-015-0431-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Inferior vena cava anomalies and variations: imaging and rare clinical findings

Abstract

Purpose

Conclusions

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Conclusions

Key Points

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 6/2015

The consequences of the economic crisis in radiology

Sonographic images of hepato-pancreatico-biliary and intestinal ascariasis: A pictorial review

The imaging conundrum of hepatic lymphoma revisited

Pitfalls in Interpreting mp-MRI of the Prostate: A Pictorial Review with Pathologic Correlation

Letter to the editor: spontaneous renal haemorrhage in end-stage renal disease

Giant colonic diverticulum: radiographic and MDCT characteristics