PERSISTENT LEFT SUPERIOR VENA CAVA: A DECEPTIVE ANOMALY

Abstract

Persistent left superior vena cava (SVC) is a rare but vital congenital anomaly of the thoracic venous system. It is the persistence of vessel that normally regresses during early foetal life. It has utmost importance in intervention radiology, cardiothoracic procedures and insertion of the central venous line as well as in trauma. The vessel can drain into the right atrium through the coronary sinus, directly into left atrium or through pulmonary veins. It is usually detected during routine investigations and requires surgical treatment. In our case, SVC persists on both right and left sides with enlarged coronary sinus incidentally detected during follow-up for breast cancer. Key words: Persistent left superior vena cava, superior vena cava, vascular variant