Anomalous inferior vena cava mimicking aortic dissection on transesophageal echocardiography.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is considered an excellent method for the diagnosis of aortic dissection, especially that involving the descending aorta. It has also proved useful in the evaluation of conditions mimicking aortic dissection, usually disclosing in these situations other types of severe aortic disease. We are not aware of any report dealing with venous abnormalities which presented diagnostic problems in a patient evaluated with TEE because of a suspected aortic dissection.