Left-sided superior vena cava: diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging

Boussuges, A.; Ambrosi, Pı̈erre; Gainnier, Marc; Quenee, V.; Sainty, J. M.

doi:10.1007/s001340050397

Cited by 20 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…15 • Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography with injection of contrast material from a peripheral left arm vein causes early opacification of an abnormally large coronary sinus before the right-sided chambers, thus suggesting abnormal venous drainage. 17 • Magnetic resonance imaging, which gives more accurate images of the heart than conventional CT and shows mediastinal structures such as vena cavae, coronary sinus, and the opening into the right atrium. 13 • Computed tomography (CT) of the chest, may often detect or confirm the presence of PLSVC, but it may not be satisfactory for visualization of the exact course or site of connection of PLSVC with the cardiac chambers.…”

Section: Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava with Absent Right Superior Vena Cava: Review of the Literature and Clinical Implications

Sheikh

Mazhar

2014

Echocardiography

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Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common venous anomaly of the thorax affecting 0.5-2% of the general population. PLSVC with absent right SVC, which is also referred to as isolated PLSVC, occurs in 0.09-0.13% of patients. PLSVC should be suspected whenever a dilated coronary sinus is discovered on transthoracic echocardiography. Transthoracic echocardiography serves as an excellent modality to diagnose PLSVC. The presence of PLSVC can be confirmed by performing a bilateral "bubble study" with injection of agitated saline from both the left and the right peripheral arm veins. Although PLSVC is a benign condition, it may have important clinical implications in certain situations. We describe a case of PLSVC with an absent right SVC followed by a review of the literature and the clinical implications associated with this condition.

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Section: Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava with Absent Right Superior Vena Cava: Review of the Literature and Clinical Implications

Sheikh

Mazhar

2014

Echocardiography

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“…It usually drains into the right atrium through a dilated coronary sinus. 3,4 However, in some cases, it may drain directly into the left atrium producing a right-to-left shunt, 5,6 or directly into the right atrium. In most of these cases the right superior vena cava may be present and may or may not communicate with the left superior vena cava.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistent left superior vena cava draining into the coronary sinus: Report of 10 cases and literature review

González‐Juanatey

Testa

Vidan

et al. 2004

Clinical Cardiology

113

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Background: Persistent left superior vena cava (PLS VC) is the most common thoracic venous anomaly.Hypothesis: This study examines the epidemiologic, clinical, and morphologic characteristics of a cohort of patients with PLSVC draining into the coronary sinus.Methods: We examined the clinical and morphologic characteristics of patients with PLSVC draining into the coronary sinus diagnosed at a single referral hospital for a defined population in northwestern Spain. We designed a prospective study of the case records of all patients diagnosed with PLSVC draining into the coronary sinus at the echocardiog‐raphy laboratory of the Hospital Xeral‐Calde from January 2001 through December 2002. Patients were included if they had a PLSVC diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) using an echo‐contrast enhancement and confirmed by a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Ten patients (6 women) fulfilled the inclusion criteria described above. All patients were adults and had associated heart disease, including a congenital heart disease in three cases.Results: Magnetic resonance imaging examination confirmed the presence of PLSVC and the site of drainage into the coronary sinus. Absence of the right superior vena cava was observed only in three patients, in whom the main coronary sinus size was significantly increased. Absence of the left bra‐chiocephalic vein was diagnosed in five patients.Conclusion: This study describes 10 new cases of PLSVC and supports the necessity of considering PLSVC draining into the coronary sinus in the diagnosis of patients presenting with dilated coronary sinus diagnosed by TTE. It also underlines the important role of MR imaging in the evaluation of these abnormalities. An associated heart disease must always be excluded in these patients.

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“…Recognition of the problem by angiography, CT, or NMR [1] is important, since the infusion of irritating hypertonic solutions and sclerosing cytotoxic agents into veins with small caliber and quite low flow may result in local phlebitis and, more seriously, in venous thrombosis (VT). VT is indeed the most feared and the most serious complication of PLSVC.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term central venous catheterization via persistent left superior vena cava

Laurenzi¹,

Natoli²,

Pelagalli³

et al. 2003

Support Care Cancer

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We report a case of a cancer patient who displayed a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) after implantation of a central venous catheter (Port-a-Cath), as revealed by angiography. This anomaly is rather rare (0.3% of healthy individuals), and the few studies on the long-term maintenance of an implant in situ are not very informative. Nevertheless, based on the acceptable venous caliber and the patient's serious clinical situation, we decided to leave the catheter in place and perform infusional chemotherapy and supportive therapy with careful and continuous control. The patient died after 8 months of this therapy. No complications attributable to the catheter were observed. We think that the risk is acceptable in similar conditions.

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Left-sided superior vena cava: diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract: We describe a case of left-sided superior vena cava. The diagnosis was suggested by chest radiograph after central venous catheter placement. This was subsequently confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging.

Cited by 20 publications

References 2 publications

Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava with Absent Right Superior Vena Cava: Review of the Literature and Clinical Implications

Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava with Absent Right Superior Vena Cava: Review of the Literature and Clinical Implications

Persistent left superior vena cava draining into the coronary sinus: Report of 10 cases and literature review

Long-term central venous catheterization via persistent left superior vena cava

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