Persistent left superior vena cava

Case contributed by Domenico Nicoletti
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Incidental finding.

Patient Data

Gender: Female

Occasional finding in cancer control of the chest. In this case the superior vena cava drains into the coronary sinus and the patient is totally asymptomatic.

Case Discussion


The left superior vena cava or vein of Marshall is a congenital anomaly caused by an abnormal development of the coronary sinus during the early stages of fetal life with an incidence ranging from 0.3% to 4.3% in the general population when associated to other cardiac abnormalities, but in most cases it drains into the coronary sinus and remains asymptomatic.

Named after the English physician John Marshall (1818-1891) who first described it.

Present during embryonic life, it occludes forming a fibrous ligament called the ligament of Marshall, which joins the coronary sinus with the left innominate vein. The left superior vena cava drains blood from the limb and left the left side of the head and neck into the right atrium through the coronary sinus while 8% of cases drains into the left atrium causing hemodynamic changes such as left-right shunt.

It can support the entire venous reflux of the top fields of the body. In the case of coexistence of superior vena cava, right and left, the gauge of the two will be complementary, in relation to the flow drained.

Its presence is usually not pathological, unless they are simultaneously further cardiovascular abnormalities such as ventricular septal defect or atrioventricular (50% of cases); in which case it is related to significant morbidity and mortality. The surgical treatment of the anomaly simple is therefore not necessary.

It is known to cardiology because, in case of the presence of muscle tissue, can be due to arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.