Imaging findings in a case of situs inversus totalis

Abstract

Situs inversus is an uncommon condition in which there is transposition of thoracic and abdominal structures. We report a case of situs inversus totalis detected incidentally in a 72-year-old female under investigation for haematuria. The imaging findings and role of imaging in this condition have been described in detail. This article emphasises the need for the clinicians to be aware of situs anomalies before planning surgical or radiological interventions in these patients.

Morphometric characteristics of the aorta and heart in situs inversus totalis

“…Situs inversus is considered an autosomal recessive genetic condition [ 2 , 3 ]. Laterality develops during the very early stages of prenatal development.…”

“…Case reports of situs inversus totalis often include topographic characteristics [ 3 , 4 ]. In the presented case, we paid close attention to the rotated heart with a description of the heart chambers; the position of the aortic arch turning dorsally and to the right; the brachiocephalic trunk passing behind the left sternoclavicular joint with the untypical supply of the left upper extremity, the left side of the neck and the head.…”

“…Situs inversus totalis is a rare congenital anomaly with an incidence rate varying between 1:5,000 [ 1 ] and 1:500,00 [ 2 ]. Situs inversus totalis is characterized by the right-left reversal of thoracic and abdominal organs [ 3 ]. The topography of the cardiovascular system is also changed: the heart is on the right, the position of the heart chambers is reversed, the course of the aorta is also changed [ 4 ].…”

Dextrocardia con situs inversus. Análisis cardiológico comprensible

“…Respecto a los órganos abdominales, el cambio en lateralidad del estómago se confirma con la presencia de burbuja gástrica izquierda, mientras que la trasposición hepática se determina por la presencia de sombra hepática izquierda con la respectiva elevación hemidiafragmática (12) . La exploración ecocardiográfica realizada en hemitórax derecho, evidenció inversión de lateralidad de las cámaras, válvulas cardíacas y grandes vasos, manteniéndose las concordancias atrioventricular y ventriculoarterial correctas.…”

Left-sided acute appendicitis in a patient with situs inversus totalis: A case report and a comprehensive review

“…It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern with incomplete penetrance [5] . It can manifest as an individual entity or might be linked with conditions such as primary ciliary dyskinesia or Kartagener's syndrome [6] . LSAA is very rare and can happen in association with other congenital abnormalities such as situs inversus, midgut malrotation (MM), or an unusually long right-sided appendix projecting into the left lower quadrant [7] .…”