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Double superior vena cava presenting with anomalous jugular and azygous venous systems
Ainory P Gesase1, Flora M Fabian, David N Ngassapa
1Department of Anatomy/Histology, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. agesase@muchs.ac.tz
Insights
This study reports a rare case of double superior vena cava with an anomalous azygous vein and abnormal jugular venous connections. Such anatomical variations are important for medical science and clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Anatomical variations
- Vascular anomalies
- Human anatomy
Background:
- Congenital anomalies of the superior vena cava (SVC) and associated veins are uncommon.
- Understanding these variations is crucial for surgical and diagnostic procedures.
Observation:
- A unique case presenting with a double SVC (right and left).
- The azygous vein anomalously divided, with roots draining into respective SVCs.
- Abnormal termination of superficial jugular veins into a venous arch in the neck.
Findings:
- The right SVC drained into the right atrium; the left SVC drained into the coronary sinus.
- The azygous vein originated in the chest and bifurcated to join both SVCs.
- Left external and anterior jugular veins connected abnormally via a venous arch.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of detailed anatomical knowledge.
- Documentation of such rare vascular anomalies aids in understanding human developmental variations.
- Awareness of these anomalies is critical for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Objective:
To report on the double superior vena cava occurring with anomalous azygous vein and abnormal termination of the cardiac veins, which has not been reported before in one individual.
Results:
Examination of the heart revealed the presence of both the right and left superior vena cava. The right superior vena cava terminated into the right atrium and received the right root of the azygous vein, and the left superior vena cava received the left root of the azygous vein before entering the dilated coronary sinus. The azygous vein ascended in the right chest, and at the level of the third thoracic vertebra, it divided into the right and left roots, which joined the respective superior vena cava. Observation of the left lung revealed the presence of both the oblique and horizontal fissures that demarcated the upper, middle, and lower lobes. Dissection of the neck revealed abnormal connection of the superficial veins. The left external and anterior jugular veins opened at the confluence of veins that was drained by the venous arch that passed to the right side of the neck to open into the right external jugular vein.
Conclusion:
The coexistence of double superior vena cava with azygous and superficial jugular venous anomalies is considered to be incidental finding. However, continued documentation of such anomalies is clinically important, and it remains to be important in medical science.
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