Published in:
01-07-2010 | Images in Pediatric Cardiology
Retroesophageal Innominate Vein in a Tetralogy of Fallot Patient
Published in: Pediatric Cardiology | Issue 5/2010
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An asymptomatic 16-year-old African-American boy who underwent complete tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair at age 4 was being followed for aortic regurgitation and pulmonic stenosis. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the chest during a follow-up visit demonstrated a left retroesophageal innominate (or brachiocephalic) vein coursing posterior to the descending aorta, trachea, and esophagus before communicating with the azygos vein and right superior vena cava (Figs. 1, 2). The patient was without any clinical complications as a consequence of this cardiac anomaly.
Fig. 1
Axial magnetic resonance image taken at the level of the aortic arch (A) demonstrating a left innominate vein (white arrow) coursing behind the trachea (T) and collapsed esophagus (E) to communicate with the azygos vein (white arrowhead), which drains into the superior vena cava (S)
Fig. 2
Posterosuperior view of a volume-rendered magnetic resonance image of the left retroesophageal innominate vein anomaly (white arrow) with an esophageal impression made in the most posterior aspect (white arrowhead)
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