Duplication of the inferior vena cava: case report and a literaturereview of anatomical variation

ABSTRACT

Anatomical variation in the inferior vena cava can result in misdiagnosis, making a better understanding of suchvariations crucial. Here we report the case of a 29 year-old male, victim of multiple trauma, who in the courseof treatment presented with a pulmonary thromboembolism confirmed by tomography. Given the gravityof the situation and the need for additional surgeries, a decision was made to implant an inferior vena cavafilter. During phlebography, prior to implantation of the filter, the duplication of the vena cava was detectedand classified as a complete duplication. A review of the literature revealed various anatomical descriptions ofduplicated inferior vena cava, the most common of which were incomplete cases showing greater variationin venous contion. All in vivo anatomical descriptions were done via phlebography, demonstrating the valueof this test for the diagnosis of anatomical variation in the abdominal veins. While duplication of the inferiorvena cava was not the cause of the venous thrombosis in our patient, a detailed phlebography test was neededto both identify the anatomical variation and facilitate the placement of the filter to prevent a new pulmonarythromboembolism.