Persistent left superior vena cava: a reason for pseudodisplacement of a port catheter

Port catheters have been increasingly used in recent years. Using one case as an example, we demonstrate how an anatomic variation can easily become a pitfall when inserting a central venous catheter, port catheter, pacemaker or Swan-Ganz catheter. We report a case of persistent left superior vena cava, the most common variation in the thoracic venous system. Since these procedures are increasingly being performed, surgeons, anesthesiologists and radiologists should be aware of the possible anatomic variations.