HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bass, J. E. Articles by Harris, J. H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bass, J. E. Articles by Harris, J. H., Jr Related Collections Vascular and/or Interventional Radiology

Spectrum of Congenital Anomalies of the Inferior Vena Cava: Cross-sectional Imaging Findings¹

(CME available in print version and on RSNA Link)

¹ From the Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. Presented as a scientific exhibit at the 1998 RSNA scientific assembly. Received March 16, 1999; revision requested May 7 and received July 1; accepted July 8. Address reprint requests to J.E.B., Hermann Imaging and Breast Center, 6410 Fannin, Suite 170, Houston, TX 77030 (e-mail: J.E.Bass@uth.tmc.edu).

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.

Index Terms: Renal veins, 966.134 • Ureter, abnormalities, 82.1439 • Veins, abnormalities, 569.159, 966.134, 982.131, 982.142 • Venae cavae, abnormalities, 569.159, 982.131, 982.142

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. R. Clayburgh, J. D. Yoon, N. A. Cipriani, P. A. Ricketts, and V. M. Arora Collateral Damage N. Engl. J. Med., September 4, 2008; 359(10): 1048 - 1054. [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. S. Restrepo, A. Eraso, D. Ocazionez, J. Lemos, S. Martinez, and D. F. Lemos The Diaphragmatic Crura and Retrocrural Space: Normal Imaging Appearance, Variants, and Pathologic Conditions RadioGraphics, September 1, 2008; 28(5): 1289 - 1305. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Kandpal, R. Sharma, S. Gamangatti, D. N. Srivastava, and S. Vashisht Imaging the Inferior Vena Cava: A Road Less Traveled RadioGraphics, May 1, 2008; 28(3): 669 - 689. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Arbelo, E. Caballero, and A. Medina Successful slow pathway ablation for atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia via a hypoplastic inferior vena cava in a patient with an azygos continuation Europace, April 1, 2008; 10(4): 467 - 468. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Sheth and E. K. Fishman Imaging of the Inferior Vena Cava with MDCT Am. J. Roentgenol., November 1, 2007; 189(5): 1243 - 1251. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Z Koc, S Ulusan, L Oguzkurt, and E Serin Symptomatic interrupted inferior vena cava: report of a case presenting with haematochezia Br. J. Radiol., June 1, 2007; 80(954): e122 - e124. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Karazincir, A. Balci, S. Gorur, H. Sumbas, and A. N. Kiper Incidence of the Retroaortic Left Renal Vein in Patients With Varicocele J. Ultrasound Med., May 1, 2007; 26(5): 601 - 604. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. R. Wax, M. G. Pinette, J. Fife, J. Blackstone, and A. Cartin Absent Infrarenal Inferior Vena Cava: An Unusual Cause of Pelvic Varices J. Ultrasound Med., May 1, 2007; 26(5): 699 - 701. [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y Hama Inferior vena cava duplication and left renal aplasia: incidental findings? Br. J. Radiol., May 1, 2007; 80(953): e88 - e92. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Yigit, B. Yagmurlu, N. Yigit, S. Fitoz, and P. Kosar Low Back Pain as the Initial Symptom of Inferior Vena Cava Agenesis AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., March 1, 2006; 27(3): 593 - 595. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. De Rosa, O. Catalano, E. de Lutio di Castelguidone, and A. Siani Segmental Septation of the Inferior Vena Cava Am. J. Roentgenol., November 1, 2005; 185(5): 1377 - 1377. [Full Text] [PDF]