CASE REPORT   

Minerva Chirurgica 1999 April;54(4):261-6

Copyright © 1999 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Duplication of the inferior vena cava with azygos continuation. Description of a rare case

Esposito S., Mansueto G., Amodio F., Meccariello R., Galasso L., Salzano A., Vallone G.

The embryogenesis of the inferior vena cava is a complicated process involving development, regression, anastomosis and replacement of three pairs of venous channels (posterior cardinal, subcardinal and supracardinal).
A rare case of concurrent duplication and azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava is presented; it is caused by an altered development of subcardinal and supracardinal venous channels. This anomaly, without other congenital malformations (splenic or cardiac), has been previously described only in six cases in the literature. In this case contrast-enhanced CT enabled the correct diagnosis to be made. The subsequent cavography confirmed the CT report.