Korean Circ J.  1998 Mar;28(3):440-447. 10.4070/kcj.1998.28.3.440.

Hemiazygos Continuation of Left Inferior Vena Cava Draining into the Right Atrium via Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava: A Variant of Polysplenia Syndrome Mimicking Aortic Dissection

• Cheon IS
• Rhee YP
• Choi BR
• Lee SS
• Jung WT
• Lee JD
• Choi DJ
• Hwang JY
• Seo BG
• You JJ

• KMID: 1858142
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.1998.28.3.440

Abstract

We report a case of a 58 year-old male with polysplenia and left inferior vena cava draining into the right atrium via hemiazygous vein; the left superior vena cava and the coronary sinus in order. He presented dyspnea on exertion and atrial fibrillation. Originally, through findings of mediastinal widening in chest X-ray and the double lumen of the descending aorta in transesophageal echocardiography, he was erroneously diagnosed with aortic dissection. The anomalous venous connection was discovered via spiral CT and venography. We also found three to five small spleens via CT. We emphasize that normal left superior vena cava mimic aortic dissection on chest X-rays and transesophageal echocardiographys.

Keyword

Persistent left superior vena cava; Polysplenia syndrome

MeSH Terms

Aorta, Thoracic
Atrial Fibrillation
Coronary Sinus
Dyspnea
Echocardiography, Transesophageal
Heart Atria*
Heterotaxy Syndrome*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Phlebography
Spleen
Thorax
Tomography, Spiral Computed
Veins
Vena Cava, Inferior*
Vena Cava, Superior*