Situs inversus partialis (levocardia): an incidental discovery of an extremely rare case during the autopsy of a female with suicidal poisoning

Abstract

Abstract Background Situs inversus is a rare congenital anomaly. In this condition, the abdominal and chest organs are positioned in reverse, a mirror image of the normal anatomical position. It is divided into two categories. 1. Situs inversus totalis, in which the apex of the heart points toward the right side. 2. Situs inversus partialis or incompletus, in which the apex of the heart points toward the left side. Situs inversus totalis is present in 1 per 10,000 to 50,000 individuals of the general population, whereas situs inversus partialis is a much rarer condition and is present in 1 per 2,000,000 individuals of the general population. The term situs ambiguous is also used for the arrangement of organs and vessels in an unordered manner. Case presentation In this paper, we present an extraordinary case of situs inversus partialis discovered incidentally during the autopsy of a female body with a documented history of suicidal poisoning. This unique finding sheds light on the diagnostic challenges and implications of situs inversus partialis, especially in patients with underlying medical conditions. Conclusions This report underscores the importance of thorough and systematic investigations during autopsy examinations to identify and comprehend rare anatomical anomalies that may otherwise remain unnoticed. Increased awareness of such rare congenital anomalies may contribute to a better understanding of their prevalence and potential clinical implications for healthcare professionals and researchers.

Keywords

• Levocardia
• Congenital anomaly
• Forensic autopsy
• Diagnostic modalities
• Situs inversus with dextrocardia
• Abdominal diseases