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Review
. 2011;64(1):4-8.
doi: 10.5173/ceju.2011.01.art1. Epub 2011 Mar 18.

Anomalies of the inferior vena cava and renal veins and implications for renal surgery

Ahmed Eldefrawy  1 , Mohan Arianayagam  1 , Prashanth Kanagarajah  1 , Kristell Acosta  1 , Murugesan Manoharan  1
Affiliations
Review

Anomalies of the inferior vena cava and renal veins and implications for renal surgery

Ahmed Eldefrawy et al. Cent European J Urol. 2011.

Abstract

Abnormalities of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and renal veins are extremely rare. However, with the increasing use of computed tomography (CT), these anomalies are more frequently diagnosed. The majority of venous anomalies are asymptomatic and they include left sided IVC, duplicated IVC, absent IVC as well as retro-aortic and circumaortic renal veins. The embryological development of the IVC is complex and involves the development and regression of three sets of paired veins. During renal surgery, undiagnosed venous anomalies may lead to major complications. There may be significant hemorrhage or damage to vascular structures. In addition, aberrant vessels may be mistaken for lymphadenopathy and may be biopsied. In this review we discuss the embryology of the IVC and the possible anomalies of IVC and its tributaries paying particular attention to diagnosis and implications for renal surgery.

Keywords: inferior vena cava; renal veins; venous anomalies.

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Figures

Fig. 1a
Fig. 1a
Subcardinal and supracardinal veins. Figure 1a demonstrates the three sets of paired veins that develop in the embryo, namely the subcardinal (blue), supracardinal (red) and postcardinal veins (grey). 1b. The right subcardinal vein becomes dominant. Figure 1b demonstrates regression of the postcardinal veins; the supracardinal veins become dominant infrarenally, while the subcardinal veins become dominant above the renal veins. 1c. Final structure of the IVC. Figure 1c demonstrates the final composition of the inferior vena cava.
Fig. 2a
Fig. 2a
Transverse CT image of the left IVC.
Fig. 2b
Fig. 2b
Coronal reconstruction of a CT image of left IVC.
Fig. 3a
Fig. 3a
Transverse CT image of duplicated IVC.
Fig. 3b
Fig. 3b
Coronal reconstruction of a CT showing a duplicated IVC.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Retrocaval ureter is seen.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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