Right superior vena cava draining into the left atrium

Pediatr Radiol. 2008 Aug;38(8):912-4. doi: 10.1007/s00247-008-0897-7. Epub 2008 Jun 21.

Abstract

The right superior vena cava draining into the left atrium is a rare malformation causing cyanosis and clubbing in patients in whom no other signs of congenital heart defect are present. Diagnosis may be difficult as cyanosis may be mild and the anomaly is not always easily detectable by echocardiography. For this reason we report a 13-month-old male in whom we confirmed the clinical and echocardiographic suspicion of anomalous drainage of the right superior vena cava using multidetector CT. This allowed successful surgical reconnection of the right superior vena cava to the right atrium.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Heart Atria / abnormalities*
  • Heart Atria / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Vena Cava, Superior / abnormalities*
  • Vena Cava, Superior / diagnostic imaging*