Variants of the inferior vena cava

Abstract

Abnormalities of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and its tributaries are rare anomalies detected more frequently by computed tomography scans with intravenous contrast. Its importance lies in identifying them by the possible clinical and surgical implications. They originate from the persistence or regression of the three embryonic veins (posterior cardinal, subcardinal, and supracardinal) and their anastomosis. There are three cases, the first with double IVC type I, which has a prevalence of 0.2%–3%. The second case has a left vena cava, which has a 0.2%–0.5% prevalence. The third case is with retroaortic left renal vein, which has a prevalence of 3.4%.

Keywords

• congenital anomaly
• duplicated inferior vena cava
• inferior vena cava
• left retro renal aortic vein
• left vena cava