Unique Venocaval Anomalies: Case of Duplicate Superior Vena Cava and Interrupted Inferior Vena Cava

Abstract

Venocaval anomalies are uncommon in the general population and often go unrecognized, but physicians should be aware of their significance.  Duplicate superior vena cava should be identified during cardiac imaging, surgery, and catheter insertions. While interrupted inferior vena cava can predispose to thrombus formation, they protect against pulmonary embolism from lower extremity deep vein thrombosis.  We describe a unique case of a patient in whom combined superior vena cava and inferior vena cava anomalies were found incidentally.  This is the first reported case of a duplicate superior vena cava and interrupted inferior vena cava in a single patient in English literature.  This article also provides a literature review on the topic.