Retroaortic left renal vein joining the left common iliac vein

Retroaortic left renal vein joining the left common iliac vein is a rare congenital anomaly in the development of the inferior vena cava. To our knowledge, only one case has been reported in the literature; however, its imaging features have never been described. A 27-year-old male presented with a 1-year history of recurrent right flank pain, dysuria, hematuria, and fever (39 °C). Computed tomography and MR venography showed a retroaortic left renal vein joining the left common iliac vein. We present the CT and MR venography findings and discuss their feasibility in showing this congenital anomaly. Received: 18 October 1999; Revised: 11 February 2000; Accepted: 15 February 2000     

Retroaortic left renal vein with renal vein hypertension causing hematuria

We describe a case of retroaortic left renal vein with hematuria. In this case, pullback pressure from the retroaortic left renal vein to the inferior vena cava revealed left renal vein hypertension according to criteria of the “nutcracker phenomenon.” We stress that left renal vein anomaly including retroaortic left renal vein can cause clinical symptoms such as hematuria.     

Distinction of hepatic vein from portal vein by MR imaging

Fast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques are assuming importance in imaging of the abdomen in part due to their ability to produce images during breath-holding, which ensures high spatial resolution and no respiratory motion artifacts. One problem with rapid scanning of the liver, shared with other MR techniques, is confusion between portal and hepatic veins due to similarity in signal intensity. The fast low angle shot (FLASH) technique (flip angle 40 degrees, repetition time 28 ms, and echo time 16 ms) produces high signal in both venous systems. To remedy the problem we incorporated presaturation pulses applied across the portal and mesenteric veins to the FLASH technique; this induced a decrease in signal in the portal venous system and facilitated their differentiation from hepatic veins. Moreover, in one patient an intraportal tumor thrombus not detected on the standard FLASH technique was rendered visible by presaturation. Although the presaturation pulses in the present series were confined to the sagittal plane, the technique should be applicable in any plane as dictated by the anatomy and direction of blood flow. We anticipate wide use of combined presaturation and rapid scanning techniques.     

Anomalous intrapulmonal vein drainage and pulmonary vein connection in DSA

Anomalous pulmonary venous drainage can be detected and evaluated by angiographic studies. Now that intravenous DSA is available, this method can be used to demonstrate pulmonary venous return. This study presents the results of DSA examination in three patients having anomalous pulmonary vein connection with the left innominate vein and the superior vena cava respectively. In a fourth patient, intra-pulmonary atypical venous return could be demonstrated by DSA without anomalous connection. This minimal invasive procedure is diagnostically useful in anomalies of pulmonary veins when recommended post-processing techniques are evaluated, particularly in patients with additional cardiac septal defects.     

Ovarian vein thrombosis

Ovarian vein thrombosis is a well-known but rare entity, which can occur during the post-partum period. This condition has also been associated with inflammatory and malignant processes within the pelvis. Untreated, complications of ovarian vein thrombosis can be significant due to the associated sepsis and risk of pulmonary embolism. Diagnosis can be made with confidence using ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment of ovarian vein thrombosis is particularly important in the post-partum patients, with anticoagulation therapy being the current recommendation.     

Popliteal vein aneurysm

The incidence of a popliteal vein aneurysm is extremely low. Two cases of this rare venous anomaly are described. The epidemiology, morphology, and diagnostic methods are discussed and the potentially dangerous complications and treatment methods are presented.     

Enormous intrahepatic communication between the portal vein and the hepatic vein

A case of enormous intrahepatic shunt between the portal vein and the hepatic vein is described. The lesion was successfully treated by embolisation using stainless steel coils on two occasions, after demonstration by percutaneous transhepatic portography (PTP).     

Communicating vein between the left renal vein and left ascending lumber vein: incidence and significance on abdominal CT

PURPOSE: To examine the incidence and appearance of the communicating vein between the left renal vein (LRV) and the left ascending lumbar vein (LALV) on abdominal CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the appearance of the communicating vein on contrast-enhanced CT obtained by multidetector-row CT (MDCT) scanner. One hundred patients without known abnormality in this region were randomly chosen and the following findings were recorded: (1) presence or absence of the visible communicating vein, (2) diameter of the communicating vein, (3) visible length of the vein (none, partial, or total), (4) laterality of the ascending lumbar vein, (5) distance between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. RESULTS: The communicating vein was visible in 35 patients (35%). In 20 cases, this vein was visualized within the paraaortic region and could not be traced toward the LALV. The distance between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta was narrower in the patients with visible communicating vein than in those without it, however, no statistically significant difference was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: This vein is commonly visible in the general population, and care should be taken not to confuse it with lymphadenopathy because this communicating vein was partially visualized within the paraaortic region in 20% of the cases.     

CT静脉造影在下肢静脉曲张中的应用

目的探讨多层螺旋CT直接法在显示下肢静脉曲张血管形态及阻塞情况中的应用价值。方法对61例下肢静脉曲张CTV图像进行回顾性分析。结果所示血管中，大小隐静脉均曲张60条，交通支及侧枝循环建立，单纯小隐静脉曲张10条，血管栓塞27条。结论下肢深静脉直接法CT造影对下肢静脉曲张的诊断具有重要价值，能为血管外科治疗提供可靠的影像学信息。     

Sonographic demonstration of a patent umbilical vein in portal vein tumor thrombosis

A patent umbilical vein is a well-known sonographic sign of portal hypertension. We here describe this finding in a patient with extensive tumor thrombosis of the portal vein and its branches.