Absence of infrarenal inferior vena cava is not a congenital abnormality

The absence of inferior vena cava (IVC) is one among infrequent subtypes of IVC abnormalities that are rarely seen in general population. The absence of IVC involves either that of entire IVC or that of infrarenal segment. These two entities are relatively similar but their etiopathogeneses are still controversial. The absence of the entire IVC is thought to be a result of an embryologic disorder, whereas perinatal thrombosis is hypothesised to lead to the development of absent infrarenal IVC, thus the latter is a developmental disorder and the former occurs due to embryologic disorder. We report an adult man with renal-infrarenal absence of IVC, as well as missing common iliac veins. He clinically presented with extensive varicose collateral circulation on the thoracoabdominal wall, right varicocele and severe varices on lower limbs. Calcifications of adrenal glands indicate a hematologic disorder during perinatal period. The etiopathogenesis of this unusual abnormality is emphasized in this case report (Fig. 5, Ref. 10). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.