Left superior pulmonary vein connected to superior vena cava vein in a patient with situs inversus totalis: A challenging diagnosis

Echocardiography. 2017 Nov;34(11):1733-1735. doi: 10.1111/echo.13711. Epub 2017 Sep 19.

Abstract

We herein describe the previously unreported combination of partial anomalous venous connection to the superior vena cava combined with situs inversus totalis. Following peripheral contrast injection, bubbles appeared initially in the left atrium allowing the diagnosis of a supra-atrial connection to be made using transthoracic echocardiography, but this timing was not anymore reproduced during transesophageal echocardiography performed minutes later. Cardiac computed tomography allowed the final diagnosis to be made. This case emphasizes the importance of performing bubble studies both during transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography.

Keywords: congenital heart defect; contrast microbubbles; shunt.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Echocardiography / methods*
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Veins / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Veins / physiopathology
  • Situs Inversus / diagnostic imaging*
  • Situs Inversus / physiopathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Vena Cava, Superior / diagnostic imaging*
  • Vena Cava, Superior / physiopathology