Published online Jan 26, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i3.672
Peer-review started: September 5, 2020
First decision: November 14, 2020
Revised: November 22, 2020
Accepted: December 6, 2020
Article in press: December 6, 2020
Published online: January 26, 2021
Processing time: 136 Days and 21.1 Hours
Abnormalities of the inferior vena cava (IVC) are uncommon, and in many cases they are asymptomatic. Even so, it is vital that clinicians be aware of such anomalies prior to surgery in affected individuals. In the present report, we describe a rare anatomical variation of the IVC.
A 66-year-old male was admitted to the hospital due to deep vein thrombosis of the right lower extremity. Upon contrast-enhanced computed tomography imaging, we found that this patient presented with a case of left-sided IVC draining into the hemiazygos vein, while his hepatic vein was directly draining into the atrium.
Cases of left-sided IVC can increase patient susceptibility to thromboembolism owing to the resultant changes in blood flow and/or associated vascular compression.
Core Tip: We found that one patient with deep venous thrombosis had left-sided inferior vena cava draining into the hemiazygos vein, while his hepatic vein was directly draining into the atrium. It is vital that clinicians be aware of such anomalies prior to surgery in affected individuals.