Variations of the Inferior Vena Cava and Renal Veins

Abstract

Inferior vena cava (IVC) variations signify predisposition to deep vein thrombosis and may complicate retroperitoneal surgeries including abdominal aortic surgery and nephrectomy. Failure to recognize such variations may predispose the patient to life‐threatening complications. Despite their clinical significance, few studies have detailed variations from direct observation. This study assessed 36 cadavers for variations of the IVC and left renal vein. Prevalence was determined for the following variations: double IVC, isolated left IVC, retroaortic left renal vein, and circumaortic renal vein. Two of the 36 cadavers (5.6%) were variant. The variations included a double IVC (1:36; 2.8%) and a retroaortic left renal vein (1:35; 2.9%). There were no occurrences of an isolated left IVC or a circumaortic renal vein (0:36; 0% and 0:35; 0%, respectively). Further, the double IVC and the retroaortic left renal vein were accompanied by regional pathologies—both having kidney pathology and one with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The results of this study suggest that, IVC variations are rare and, when an IVC variation is discovered, there is typically an attending urinary system pathology.Support or Funding InformationWest Virginia University, West Liberty University, NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium and West Virginia Research Challenge FundThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Case Report: Imaging features of a new type double inferior vena cava malformation and review

“…We presume that DIVC can be divided into two broad categories: bilateral and ipsilateral. In previous studies, there were three types of IVC duplication: Type I-bilaterally symmetrical trunks and an approximately equal-sized the preaortic trunk; Type II-bilaterally symmetrical trunks of approximately the same size but smaller than the preaortic trunk; Type IIIdisproportionate left and right IVCs (left IVC smaller in diameter than right IVC) and unequal size compared to the preaortic trunk (6,12). This is a bilateral DIVC classification.…”

“…At 4–8 weeks of age, the inferior hepatic vena cava originates from a group of three pairs of parallel veins, which, in chronological order of formation, are the posterior cardinal, subcardinal, and supracardinal veins ( 4 , 5 ). Variations in the development of IVC are attributed to misalignment of the anastomosis, the degeneration of structures that should persist, and conversely, the persistence of structures that should degenerate ( 6 ). Normal IVC is composed of four segments: hepatic, suprarenal, renal, and infrarenal, each of which has a different embryonic origin.…”