Spectrum of Congenital Anomalies of the Inferior Vena Cava: Cross-sectional Imaging Findings

Abstract

Congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and its tributaries have become more commonly recognized in asymptomatic patients. The embryogenesis of the IVC is a complex process involving the formation of several anastomoses between three paired embryonic veins. The result is numerous variations in the basic venous plan of the abdomen and pelvis. A left IVC typically ends at the left renal vein, which crosses anterior to the aorta to form a normal right-sided prerenal IVC. In double IVC, the left IVC typically ends at the left renal vein, which crosses anterior to the aorta to join the right IVC. In azygos continuation of the IVC, the prerenal IVC passes posterior to the diaphragmatic crura to enter the thorax as the azygos vein. In circumaortic left renal vein, one left renal vein crosses anterior to the aorta and another crosses posterior to the aorta. In retroaortic left renal vein, the left renal vein passes posterior to the aorta. In circumcaval ureter, the proximal ureter courses posterior to the IVC. Other anomalies include absence of the infrarenal IVC or the entire IVC. These anomalies can have significant clinical implications. Awareness of these anomalies is necessary to avoid diagnostic pitfalls.

A Case of Deep Venous Thrombosis With a Double Inferior Vena Cava Effectively Treated by Suprarenal Filter Implantation

“…[1][2][3] This anomaly is classified into several types, and according to the classification proposed by Takemoto, et al, the present case belonged to Type II-b-4.…”

Congenital Thoracic Venous Anomalies in Adults: Morphologic MR Imaging

“…Awareness of these anomalies avoids misdiagnosing enlarged azygos or hemiazygos veins for retrocrural adenopathy. 13 Other anomalies of the IVC are rarer than those cited previously and include anomalous connection of the IVC to the left atrium or coronary sinus and a high insertion of the IVC into the right atrium. 1 Anomalies of the Azygos Vein.…”

“…The suprarenal segment of the IVC derives from the right subcardinal vein, which fuses with the right vitelline vein dorsal to the developing liver, forming the intrahepatic segment of the IVC. 13 The azygos venous system initially derives from the paired supracardinal veins (Fig 2A). The azygos vein originates from the anastomosis between the cranial segments of both the right supracardinal and the posterior cardinal veins.…”

“…With interruption of the intrahepatic portion of the IVC, blood is directed to a large azygos vein into the SVC, with the hepatic veins draining to the right atrium through the suprahepatic IVC. 13 The hemiazygos continuation of the IVC is a less frequently seen abnormality, with 3 possible paths of drainage being described: (1) through the azygos vein; (2) into a persistent LSVC; and (3) into a normal right SVC (coursing through the accessory hemiazygos vein and LBCV). 14 Although previously thought to be associated with severe congenital heart disease and heterotaxy syndrome, 15 both these anomalies are being increasingly documented in asymptomatic patients since the advent of cross-sectional imaging.…”

Ressonância magnética cardiovascular em veia cava inferior interrompida não prevista

“…Anomalies of inferior vena cava (IVC) have been known to anatomists since 1793 1 , but IVC interruption with azygous and hemiazygous substitution is a rare anomaly which has been documented recently 2 .…”