[Scimitar syndrome; report of a case]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Scimitar syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by anomalous pulmonary venous return.
• Surgical approaches vary based on individual patient anatomy.
• Accurate anatomical assessment is crucial for effective surgical planning.

Observation:

• A 17-year-old female patient presented with scimitar syndrome, notably without an atrial septal defect.
• The patient underwent successful intra-cardiac conduit repair.
• Post-operative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated complete resolution of the scimitar vein anatomy.

Findings:

• Intra-cardiac conduit repair proved effective for this specific presentation of scimitar syndrome.
• Three-dimensional (3-D) CT and MRI provided detailed visualization of the complex venous anatomy.
• The imaging confirmed successful anatomical correction and resolution of the scimitar vein.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of precise pre-operative imaging in tailoring surgical strategies for scimitar syndrome.
• Successful intra-cardiac repair demonstrates a viable surgical option for specific anatomical variations.
• Advanced imaging techniques like 3-D CT and MRI are invaluable tools in managing complex congenital heart diseases.