A case of an anomalous superior vena cava with anomalous pulmonary veins-when two wrongs do not make a right.

ABSTRACT

Intravenous agitated saline injection is useful in identifying right-to-left shunting at the atrial or intrapulmonary level. Anomalous systemic venous drainage to the left atrium is a rare but easily correctable cause of right-to-left shunting which, if left undiagnosed, may have serious consequences, including meningitis and pyogenic brain abscesses. This case illustrates an unusual cause of right-to-left shunting and the utility of venous microbubble injection in its diagnosis.