Left superior vena cava: cross-sectional imaging overview.

Persistent left-sided superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the commonest systemic venous anomaly in the thorax with a reported prevalence of up to 0.5% in otherwise normal population and up to 10% in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). In the absence of associated CHD, it is usually asymptomatic, discovered incidentally. It may complicate catheter or pacemaker lead placement. PLSVC typically drains into the right atrium through the coronary sinus. In children with CHD, the presence of a PLSVC may affect the choice of certain surgical procedures. PLSVC is significantly more common in association with situs ambiguous than with situs solitus or inversus, up to 60-70%. In patients with situs ambiguous, the drainage of LSVC is variable, more commonly directly into the atria rather than through the coronary sinus (CS). Rarely, there is a PLSVC draining into the CS with absent right SVC. PLSVC draining into the right atrium via the CS will not usually cause blood shunting between the right and the left sides. However, shunting occurs when PLSVC is associated with unroofed CS, or when it directly drains into the left atrium. With an increased use of CT and MRI for chest and cardiac imaging, PLSVC is being more encountered by radiologists than before. In this article, we will discuss the embryology of PLSVC, its anatomic course and drainage pathways, as well as its clinical relevance and relation to congenital heart disease and viscero-atrial situs.

Innominate vein vascular ring provides novel insight into systemic venous embryogenesis.

Anomalies of the innominate vein are uncommon in congenital cardiac disease. We report a case of duplicate innominate veins forming a vascular ring encircling the ascending aorta. We postulate that this vascular ring represents the failure of both a dorsal and ventral precardinal anastomosis to regress.

Double precardinal anastomoses with interconnecting venous plexus hypothesis in the embryogenesis of anomalous brachiocephalic veins: computed tomography and magnetic resonance findings.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the hypothesis of double precardinal transverse anastomoses with an interconnecting venous plexus in the embryogenesis of anomalous brachiocephalic veins (ABCV) based on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and September 2009, of 25,940 thoracic CT or MR imaging studies, 27 patients with developmental ABCV were encountered in our institution. Among them, 15 pediatric patients underwent CT or MR studies due to suspected complex thoracic vascular anomalies that were not well defined on echocardiograms. In the other 12 adult patients, ABCVs were incidentally found during cancer workup or evaluation of mediastinal widening seen on the chest radiographs. The anatomic variations of ABCV demonstrated on CT or MR imaging were retrospectively reviewed, and the implications of ABCV variations in the embryogenesis of ABCV were assessed. RESULTS: Five types of ABCV were revealed: supraaortic retrovascular left ABCV (n=1), left subaortic ABCV (n=6), double superior venae cavae with hypoplastic bridging ABVC (n=5), double superior venae cavae with absence of the brachiocephalic vein (BCV) (n=14), and double left BCV (n=1). The 5 types of ABCV could be explained by the persistence and regression of different parts of the double precardinal transverse anastomoses and interconnecting venous plexus. CT also demonstrated interconnecting veins to the BCV in 1 case and nipple-like remnants of interconnecting veins on the BCV in 2 cases, providing direct imaging evidence of the presence of the interconnecting veins. CONCLUSION: The hypothesis of double precardinal anastomoses with interconnecting veins offers a concise but comprehensive explanation of various kinds of ABCV.

Venas superficiales de la fosa cubital: aspectos anátomo-clínicos y antropológicos / Superficial veins of the cubital fossa: anatomo-clinic and anthropologic aspects

Es bastante frecuente el acceso a las venas superficiales de la fosa cubital, siendo uno de los sitios más utilizados para punción venosa. Aunque es un procedimiento simple, es invasivo y a veces doloroso. La disposición de las venas superficiales de la región cubital ha sido descrita por numerosos autores y en diversos grupos étnicos, describiéndose variaciones y diversas padronizaciones. Las venas superficiales de la fosa cubital se han descrito formando una M, N, Y y W. Numerosos estudios, en distintas razas y grupos étnicos han demostrado similitudes y diferencias en la disposición de las venas superficiales de la fosa cubital. En 1908 Berry & Newton determinaron que en el 83% de los hombres británicos la vena cefálica del antebrazo (VCA) y la vena basílica del antebrazo (VB A) eran conectadas por la vena mediana del codo (VMCo). Okamoto (1922) en hombres japoneses, determinó 3 Tipos de padrones venosos: Tipo I donde la VCA origina la VMCo, no existe la vena cefálica accesoria del antebrazo (VCAA), y la VCA no se duplica; Tipo II, caracterizado por la duplicación de la VCA y un Tipo III, que incluye la VCAA que drena en la VCA. En hombres blancos y negros Charles (1932) señaló que la distribución más frecuente (cerca de 70% de los casos), era aquella donde la VCA y la VB A eran conectadas por la VMCo. Soller et al. (1962, 1964) en africanos de África Occidental, distinguieron tres tipos de formaciones venosas. Grupo I. Disposición clásica, tipos en M o aparentes (38,1%). Grupos II y III descritas como disposiciones de tipo embrionario constituyen el 62% de los casos. Halim & Abdi (1974) en hindúes, observaron tres tipos: 1) Tipo I. La VCA y la VBA son conectadas por la VMCo; Tipo II. La VCA drena en la VBA; la vena mediana del antebrazo (VMA) drena en la VCA. Tipo III. No existe comunicación entre la VCA y la VBA en la fosa cubital y la subdividen en Tipos IIIA y III B. Wasfi et al. (1986) describieron ...

Access of the cubital fossa to the superficial veins is very frequent, this being one of the most frequent vein puncture sites. Although it is a simple procedure, it is invasive and at times painful. The disposition of the superficial veins of the cubital area has been described by numerous authors and in diverse ethnic groups, describing many variations and various patterning. The superficial veins of the cubital fossa have been independently described, forming an M, N, Y or W. Numerous studies in different races and ethnic groups have demonstrated similarities and differences in the disposition of the superficial veins of the cubital fossa. In 1908 Berry & Newton determined that in 83% of British men the cephalic vein of the forearm (CVF) and the basilic vein of the forearm (BVF) were connected by the median cubital vein (MCV) Okamoto (1922) in Japanese men, determined 3 types of venous patterns. Type I where the CVF originates the MCV, the accessory cephalic vein (ACV) does not exist, and the (CVF) does not duplicate; Type II is characterized by the duplication of the CVF and a Type III, that includes the ACV which drains in the CVF. In white and black men Charles (1932) indicated that the most frequent distribution (nearly 70% of the cases), was that where the CVF and the BFV were connected by the MCV. Soller et al. (1962, 1964) in Africans from West Africa, distinguished three types of venous formations. Group I classic dispositions, types in M or apparent (38.1%) Groups II and III described as dispositions of the embryological type constitute 62% of the cases. Halim & Abdi (1974) observed 3 types in Hindus types: 1) Type I. The CVF and the BVF are connected by the MCV; Type II. The CVF drains in the BVF: the median vein of the forearm (MVF) drains in the CVF. Type III. There is no communication between the CVF and the BFV in the cubital fossa and it is subdivided in Types III A and III B. Wasfi et al. (1986) described ...

Anomalous brachiocephalic vein: CT, embryology, and clinical implications.

OBJECTIVE: CT patterns of anomalous brachiocephalic veins are presented with reconsideration of the structure's embryogenesis. CONCLUSION: With advancements in central line procedures and corrective cardiac surgery, and the widespread use of noninvasive imaging techniques, the clinical importance of identification of the anomalous brachiocephalic vein is shown.

Retroaortic innominate vein with coarctation of the aorta: surgical repair and embryology review.

A newborn girl with a retroaortic innominate vein, coarctation of the aorta, ventricular septal defect, and subaortic stenosis underwent a complete repair at 8 days of age. The ascending aorta was transected and the innominate vein was brought in front of it. We review the anatomy and embryology of this rare entity and describe the surgical technique to avoid recoarctation and innomante vein compression.

Anomalous subaortic position of the brachiocephalic vein associated with Tetralogy of Fallot.

The left brachiocephalic vein is found in an anomalous position less frequently than the superior vena cava or azygous channels in thoracic venous systems. We experienced a rare case of anomalous left brachiocephalic vein which was clearly demonstrated by spiral computed tomography (3D-CT). Although the malformation in itself seems to be of no functional importance, we assessed its importance in terms of associated conditions and its relevance to subsequent operations.

Aberrant left brachiocephalic vein: CT imaging findings and embryologic correlation.

Computed tomography was utilized to evaluate aberrant left brachiocephalic vein (ALBCV), an infrequently discussed congenital vascular anomaly among Chinese people. Associated vascular variation and possible embryonic correlation are discussed. Since 1990, a total of 14 cases of ALBCV have been reported in patients receiving CT scan of chest, and was mainly an incidental diagnosis. One case was confirmed angiographically and two others were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Emphasis was placed on the entry of the azygos vein into the superior vena cava (SVC), the length of the SVC, and the presence of other cardiovascular abnormalities. Of the 14 cases of ALBCV, the level of azygos vein entry was higher than the origin of the SVC in 7 cases: 4 were approximately the same level and 3 were lower. The average length of the SVC was approximately 5. 6 cm shorter than that of the general population, which is approximately 7.0 cm. Three cases had associated vascular anomaly. Most cases of ALBCV had azygos vein drainage level higher than or equal to the origin of the SVC. Right-sided aorta is one of the causes giving rise to the ALBCV during embryonic development. The CT scan remains a definitive diagnostic modality for ALBCV.