Congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava: Embryogenesis and MR features

This article describes the MR appearances of the six most common congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava. As a basis for understanding those anomalies, it describes the embryology of the inferior vena cava, based on an actual study of embryos and fetuses. The article takes a fresh look at the original research in this area, discusses the possible embryogenesis of the relevant anomalies, and describes different opinions on that subject, where different opinions exist.     

Congenital anomalies of the venae cavae: embryological origin,imaging features and report of three new variants

Due to the complexity of their developmental stages, the venae cavae may undergo a very large number of congenital anomalies. All the possible abnormalities which, to our knowledge, have been observed in the literature are reported, differentiating those of the superior vena cava and the azygos system, those of the inferior vena cava and the complex anomalies that concern the venous system as a whole. Moreover, we present three new variants: a right double inferior vena cava with azygos continuation of the posterior-medial vein; an agenesis of the superior vena cava with drainage through the azygos and hemiazygos veins to the inferior vena cava; and a double inferior vena cava with hemiazygos and azygos continuation of the left one.     

Sonographic measurement of the inferior vena cava as a predictor of shock in trauma patients

Detecting and monitoring blood loss is always a challenging dilemma in emergency settings. The diameter of the inferior vena cava (IVC) in trauma patients may be useful in this way. This has been classically done with computed tomography (CT); however, doing it with ultrasound as a bedside easily available modality is a relatively novel approach. Between January 2006 and March 2006, 88 injured patients referred to our center were investigated. The patients were divided in to two groups: a shock group (n = 11, 12.5%) and a control group (n = 77, 87.5%) who were trauma patients with normal blood pressure. The maximum anteroposteroir diameter of IVC was measured ultrasonographically both in inspiration (i) and expiration (e) by M-mode in the subxyphoid area. The difference between the diameters of IVCe and IVCi was regarded as collapsibility, and collapsibility index was defined as IVCe - IVCi/IVCe. Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney U test and correlation analysis. The average diameters of IVCe and IVCi in the shock group at arrival were significantly smaller than in the control group (5.6 +/- 0.8 mm, 4.0 +/- 0.7 mm versus 11.9 +/- 2.2 mm, 9.6 +/- 2.0 mm; P < 0.0001). The maximum diameter of IVC in the shock group was in a 30-year-old male patient with an IVCe and IVCi of 7.0 and 5.3 mm, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between the diameter of IVCe (r = 0.72) and IVCi (r = 0.73) and the presence of shock. Regarding the collapsibility index, the mean collapsibility index of IVC was significantly higher in the shock group compared to patients in the control group (27% versus 20%; P < 0.001). The diameter of IVC was found to correlate with shock in trauma patients. The measurement of the IVC may be an important addition to the ultrasonographic evaluation of trauma and other potentially volume-depleted patients and can be added to the focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) of the trauma patient with minimum additional time.     

Preaortic iliac venous confluence (“Marsupial Cava”): A rare anomaly of the inferior vena cava

A patient was shown by computed tomography (CT) to have a rare developmental anomaly of the inferior vena cava (IVC), in which the iliac venous confluence is located anterior (rather than posterior) to the right common iliac artery. Recognition of the anomaly is important prior to surgical intervention in that area, as well as to prevent misinterpretation of the anomaly as representing adenopathy.     

经皮穿刺下腔静脉滤器置入术

目的 评价下腔静脉滤器预防肺动脉血栓栓塞的作用。方法 ２８例下肢深静脉血栓形成患者实施了经皮穿刺下腔静脉小 置入术,２６例置入岛巢式滤器,２例置入Ｓｉｍｏｎ Ｎｉｔｉｎｏｌ滤器。结果 滤器全部置入肾静脉下方的下腔静脉内。２７例随访２￣３４个月,滤器无移位,１５例不伴有肺动脉血栓栓塞者无肺栓塞发生。结论下腔静脉滤器用于预防肺动脉血栓栓寒是一种安全有效的方法。     

下腔静脉畸形的64层螺旋CT表现

目的 探讨64层螺旋CT下腔静脉畸形的影像表现.方法 回顾性分析6986例受检者的腹部64层螺旋CT增强扫描资料,共发现25例下腔静脉先天畸形.分析下腔静脉畸形的影像表现.结果 25例下腔静脉畸形中包括左下腔静脉6例,CT表现为肾下段腹主动脉左侧上行的下腔静脉.双下腔静脉10例,CT表现为肾下段腹主动脉两侧上行的下腔静脉.左肾静脉畸形5例,CT增强扫描横断面显示腹主动脉后和环主动脉走行的左肾静脉.肝下段下腔静脉中断伴奇静脉延续2例,胸腹部CT增强扫描显示肝段至肾上段下腔静脉缺如,肾段下腔静脉由奇静脉延续回流人上腔静脉,而肝静脉直接回流右心房.腔静脉血管造影见对比剂经增粗的奇静脉和半奇静脉通过上腔静脉回流右心房.肝下段下腔静脉中断伴门静脉延续1例,增强CT显示下腔静脉直接与门静脉在肝门部连接,肝门部门静脉呈瘤样扩张.左下腔静脉伴半奇静脉延续1例,增强CT可见左下腔静脉与半奇静脉连接,上行汇入奇静脉.结论 64层螺旋CT可清晰显示下腔静脉及其属支的畸形,可成为下腔静脉畸形的重要诊断方法.     

Thrombosis of the inferior vena cava secondary to incidental portal vein aneurysm

Aneurysm of the portal vein is a rare type of visceral aneurysm that is largely asymptomatic although some patients may develop symptoms or secondary complications. In this report, we present the first case in the literature of inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis arising as a consequence of portal vein aneurysm. A 95-year-old male with past medical history significant for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, type II diabetes mellitus, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and gastroesophageal reflux presented to the emergency department with several days of altered mental status, disorganized behavior, visual hallucinations, and weight loss. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the patient''s abdomen and pelvis was performed to assess for infection or malignancy. The study revealed a large saccular aneurysm of the proximal portal vein arising near the portal confluence. Compression of the adjacent IVC was also seen which contained a hypoattenuating filling defect, probably representing thrombus. Incidental large hepatic cysts were seen, and a 6 mm pancreatic cyst was also identified which likely represented an intra-ductal papillary mucinous neoplasm . He was determined not to be a surgical candidate due to age, comorbidities, and absence secondary symptoms. The patient was discharged on quetiapine and enoxaparin for management of agitation and IVC thrombosis, respectively. This case demonstrates the increasing rates of detection of portal vein aneurysm and the range of complications that may arise as a result.     

Cytologic diagnosis of renal carcinoma in the presence of inferior vena cava obstruction: case report

Diagnostic work-up and staging of patients with renal tumors usually includes inferior vena cavography. In this case, complete occlusion of the cava was demonstrated by cavography while catheter aspiration yielded tumor fragments diagnostic of renal adenocarcinoma. Transcatheter aspiration in the presence of caval obstruction can provide preoperative tissue diagnosis as well as accurate tumor staging information.     

超声技术在肾癌合并下腔静脉癌栓诊断中的应用

目的:探讨常规超声、彩色多普勒超声、超声造影及术中超声在肾癌合并下腔静脉癌栓的诊断及临床分型中的应用价值。方法:对7例肾癌合并下腔静脉癌栓的患者进行常规超声、彩色多普勒超声检查,其中3例行超声造影检查,3例行术中超声检查。所有病例均经手术及病理证实。结果:所有下腔静脉栓子均为癌栓,癌栓分型为Ⅱ型4例,Ⅲ型2例,Ⅳ型1例。结论:超声技术对肾癌合并下腔静脉癌栓的诊断与鉴别诊断具有重要价值,并且能够脉对癌栓进行准确分型,对临床手术治疗及预后判断具有指导性意义。     

Hypervascular renal transitional cell carcinoma with extension into the renal vein and inferior vena cava

A rare case of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) with extension into the renal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC) is presented. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography successfully delineated tumor thrombus in the right renal vein and IVC. TCC should be included in the differential diagnosis of renal tumors that can cause IVC thrombosis.     

妊高症胎儿下腔静脉前负荷指数的变化与意义

目的:研究妊高症(PIH)胎儿下腔静脉前负荷指数(preload index of inferior vena cava,PLI-IVC)的变化与意义。方法:80例孕妇(孕龄28周～42周)行常规超声检查后,对胎儿下腔静脉行多普勒超声检查,测量心室收缩期峰值(S)、心室舒张期峰值(D)和心房收缩期峰值(A),计算PLI-IVC即|A|/(S+D)。实验分为正常对照组和PIH组各40例,皆按孕周再分2组(28周～36周组与37周～42周组)。结果:胎儿下腔静脉多普勒血流频谱图为三相型:大"s"波、小"d"波和反向"a"波。对照组PLI-IVC在妊娠晚期较中期明显降低(P<0.05);PIH组PLI-IVC显著高于相应的对照组(P<0.05),且妊娠晚期较中期显著升高(P<0.05)。结论:多普勒超声检测的PIH胎儿PLI-IVC显著增高,有助于胎儿心功能评价及围产期并发症的预测。     

左位下腔静脉的MSCT表现及临床意义

目的 探讨左位下腔静脉的多层螺旋CT(multi-slice spiral CT, MSCT)表现及临床意义。方法 选取腹部MSCT多期增强扫描发现的11例左位下腔静脉患者,结合文献讨论其影像学表现。结果 11例左位下腔静脉MSCT表现为3种类型。Ⅰ型1例（9.09%）,表现为右侧下腔静脉缺失,左右髂总静脉于第5腰椎左前方汇合成下腔静脉主干后,沿腹主动脉左侧垂直上行,沿途先后有右肾静脉和左肾静脉汇入,然后与半奇静脉连接,经上腔静脉汇入右心房。Ⅱ型6例（54.55%）,表现为肾下右侧下腔静脉残余,肾下左位下腔静脉位于腹主动脉左侧,于左肾静脉汇入后从前方跨越腹主动脉向右上走行,与右肾静脉汇合后移行为正常的下腔静脉。Ⅲ型4例（36.36%）,表现为肾下右侧下腔静脉缺失,而左位下腔静脉的起止、位置、走行及属支汇入与Ⅱ型完全相同。结论 左位下腔静脉MSCT表现为3种类型,左位下腔静脉的存在对临床及介入治疗而言具有重要的意义。     

肝移植术后肝静脉和下腔静脉梗阻的诊断及介入治疗

目的 探讨肝移植术后肝静脉、下腔静脉梗阻的诊断及介入治疗技术.方法 在831例原位肝移植(OLT)、26例活体肝移植(LDLT)患者中,共有11例在移植术后2～111 d经血管造影证实为肝静脉、下腔静脉梗阻并进行了介入治疗.其中肝静脉吻合口狭窄或闭塞5例、下腔静脉吻合口狭窄5例、肝静脉狭窄伴下腔静脉吻合口狭窄1例.11例中,5例为成人OLT、4例为LDLT、2例为儿童减体积OLT,介入治疗前9例接受了肝脏CT、2例接受了MR增强扫描.术后随访患者肝肾功能指标、临床症状及肝静脉、下腔静脉血流状况.对11例患者的影像资料、介入治疗技术要点和治疗效果进行回顾性分析.介入治疗前后梗阻两端静脉压力差比较,采用配对t检验.结果 11例患者,CT或MR检查均可明确显示肝脏淤血范围、肝静脉或下腔静脉梗阻部位及程度;其中4例肝静脉梗阻和5例下腔静脉梗阻者行支架植入治疗,1例肝静脉梗阻者行经皮腔内血管球囊扩张术(PTA),1例肝静脉伴下腔静脉梗阻者,行肝静脉PTA和下腔静脉支架植入,介入治疗手术均成功.术后检测梗阻两端静脉压力差为(2.9±1.7)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa),较术前(16.5±4.1)mm Hg明显下降(t=11.5,P＜0.01).术后10例患者临床症状改善,肝肾功能恢复;1例肝功能恶化,于术后第9天死于多器官功能衰竭.患者术后随访9～672 d,2例肝静脉PTA治疗者术后1个月内发生血管再狭窄,支架植入治疗者未发生再狭窄,无严重并发症发生.结论 支架植入是治疗肝移植术后肝静脉和下腔静脉梗阻安全、有效的方法;术前CT或MR对明确肝淤血范围及静脉梗阻具有重要价值.     

Incidental discovery of duplicated inferior vena cava in a septuagenarian: the radiologist's viewpoint

Duplication of the inferior vena cava is a rare malformation, normally without clinical impact, explained by abnormal development and regression of certain segments of the venous system during embryonic life. However, its presence and type should be systematically reported in the radiological report because of its potential implications for diagnostic and interventional procedures. This observation describes the case of a 77-year-old man with a complete asymmetric duplication of the inferior vena cava (type III IVC according to Natsis) that was incidentally discovered on CT-scan.     

Budd-Chiari综合征:下腔静脉闭塞钝性开通的技术探讨

目的探讨下腔静脉闭塞型Budd-Chiari综合征钝性开通技术临床应用的安全性。方法96例患者中下腔静脉膜性闭塞63例、下腔静脉节段性闭塞33例,其中15例合并肝静脉狭窄或闭塞。透视下,使用开通导丝开通闭塞段下腔静脉。结果96例技术操作全部成功,下腔静脉开通率100%,未出现心脏压塞、下腔静脉破裂、胸腔出血、腹腔出血等严重并发症。结论钝性破膜开通下腔静脉闭塞段操作简单、安全有效、费用低、无严重并发症,值得大力推广。     

Membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava associated with intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

Two cases of membranous obstruction of the IVC at hepatic portion associated with intrahepatic portosystemic shunts, which presumably represent the persistent vitelline sinusoids, are presented. The association of these two conditions has not been previously reported and may support the congenital etiology of the membranous obstruction of the IVC. The caval membrane was successfully dilated percutaneously with a balloon catheter in each case.     

下腔静脉过滤器的临床应用及进展

深静脉血栓形成是常见病,有较高的发病率和死亡率。下腔静脉过滤器可有效减少致命性肺栓塞的发生。本文综述下腔静脉过滤器的历史、适应证、在不同类型深静脉血栓治疗中的应用情况,展望了未来趋势。     

MSCTA在儿童先天性门静脉及下腔静脉病变中的研究进展

传统影像检查对儿童先天性门静脉及下腔静脉病变的显示困难。随着多层螺旋CT血管成像(MSCTA)技术的发展,实现了真正意义的容积扫描,对于儿童门静脉、下腔静脉及其分支的显示具有连续性和完整性,并能准确测量病变血管的内径。因此,该技术有可能逐渐取代传统血管造影而成为诊断儿童血管病变的"金标准"。针对MSCTA在儿童先天性门静脉及下腔静脉病变中的临床应用及前景作一综述。     

Long-term results of the Simon nitinol inferior vena cava filter

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy, mechanical stability, and safety of the Simon nitinol inferior vena cava filter (SNF). The SNF was inserted in 114 consecutive patients at two institutions for prophylaxis of pulmonary embolism (PE). Clinical follow-up data were obtained retrospectively on all patients, and 38 patients underwent a dedicated radiologic follow-up protocol consisting of abdominal radiography, Doppler sonography, and CT. There was no immediate complication following filter insertion. Fifty patients died, on average, 5.6 (1–23) months after filter insertion, and 64 patients were alive, on average, 27 (3–62) months after filter insertion. Recurrent pulmonary embolism was documented in 5 patients (4.4 %) but originated distal to the filter in 1 patient. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was documented in 5.3 %, thrombosis at the access site in 3.5 %, and thrombosis of the inferior vena cava in 3.5 %. The rate of thromboembolic complications was similar in patients who did receive long-term anticoagulation and in those who did not. Radiologic follow-up showed no filter migration after, on average, 32 (5–62) months. A CT examination showed that struts of the SNF had penetrated the vena cava in 95 %, and were in contact with adjacent organs in 76 %; however, there were no clinical symptoms attributable to the filter. Filters were in an eccentric position in 63 % and partial filter disruption was found in 16 %; however, this did not affect filter function. The rate of recurrent pulmonary embolism after insertion of the SNF is 2.4 % per patient per year. Regardless of long-term anticoagulation, the rate of caval thrombosis is acceptably low. Except for occasional access-site thrombosis, no other filter-related morbidity was observed. Received 12 May 1997; Revision received 12 August 1997; Accepted 13 August 1997