Related Experiment Videos
IVC anomalies and right renal aplasia detected on CT: a possible link?
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin 70300, Israel.
Insights
Congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava (IVC) are often associated with right renal aplasia. Computed tomography (CT) can detect this association, which is likely not coincidental.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Anatomy
Background:
- Congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava (IVC) are rare but significant findings.
- Right renal aplasia is the congenital absence of the right kidney.
- The co-occurrence of these anomalies has been noted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the occurrence of congenital anomalies of the IVC and right renal aplasia.
- To highlight the diagnostic utility of computed tomography (CT) in identifying this association.
- To review existing literature on this specific combination of anomalies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records and imaging studies of three patients.
- Inclusion of eight previously reported cases with similar anomalies.
- Analysis of computed tomography (CT) and other imaging modalities (venography, aortography).
Main Results:
- Eleven patients (nine adults, two girls) were analyzed.
- Common IVC anomalies included partial/complete absence (nine patients) and double vena cava (two patients).
- Right renal aplasia or hypoplasia was present in all patients; the azygos vein was prominent when IVC was absent.
Conclusions:
- The association between IVC anomalies and right renal aplasia is likely not coincidental.
- While symptoms may be present, these anomalies can be clinically silent.
- Radiologists should be aware of this association and its detection via CT.
Background:
We report the occurrence of congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and right renal aplasia in three patients as detected on computed tomography (CT).
Methods:
The medical records and imaging studies of three patients with congenital anomalies of the IVC and right renal aplasia were studied. We also reviewed eight reported cases with such an association.
Results:
Eleven patients, nine adults and two girls, were included in the series. Indications for imaging included deep vein thrombosis (n = 5), hypertension (n = 2), failure to advance a femoral vein catheter cranially (n = 1), dilated veins along the abdominal wall (n = 1), endstage renal failure (n = 1), and jaundice (n = 1). CT was performed in seven patients, and venography, aortography, and other imaging modalities were performed in four. IVC anomalies included partial or complete absence of the IVC in nine patients and a double vena cava in two. The azygos vein was very prominent in all patients in whom the IVC was absent. The right kidney was absent or very small in all patients.
Conclusion:
The association between IVC anomalies and absence of the right kidney as detected on CT probably was not incidental. Although most patients had symptoms deriving from the anomalies, these might have been clinically silent. The radiologist should be aware of the possible association between these anomalies, which can be detected on CT.