Abstract
IntroductionPatent paraumbilical and abdominal subcutaneous veins are found frequently as collaterals in patients due to portal hypertension mainly in liver cirrhosis.Case presentationFor evaluation of portal hypertension in a 72-year-old Caucasian man without liver cirrhosis, magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium contrast-enhancement was performed and demonstrated a missing inferior vena cava. A blood return from the lower extremities was shown through enlarged collateral veins of the abdominal wall, vena azygos and hemiazygos continuation, and multiple liver veins emptying into the right cardiac atrium. We describe a rare case of abdominal subcutaneous wall veins as collaterals caused by a congenitally absent infrarenal inferior vena cava with preservation of a hypoplastic suprarenal segment.ConclusionKnowledge of these congenital variations can be of clinical importance and it is imperative for the reporting radiologist to identify these anomalies as they can have a significant impact on the clinical management of the patient.
Highlights
Patent paraumbilical and abdominal subcutaneous veins are found frequently as collaterals in patients due to portal hypertension mainly in liver cirrhosis.Case presentation: For evaluation of portal hypertension in a 72-year-old Caucasian man without liver cirrhosis, magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium contrast-enhancement was performed and demonstrated a missing inferior vena cava
Abdominal sonography and liver function laboratory parameters revealed no signs of liver cirrhosis
An additional abdominal sonography revealed no signs of liver cirrhosis
Summary
Congenital malformations of the inferior vena cava (IVC) are rare. Patients are usually asymptomatic and this developmental anomaly is detected incidentally during abdominal surgery or radiologic evaluation. Patent paraumbilical and abdominal subcutaneous veins are found frequently as collaterals in patients due to portal hypertension, mainly associated with liver cirrhosis [1,2]. In this particular patient, abdominal sonography and liver function laboratory parameters revealed no signs of liver cirrhosis. We describe patent abdominal subcutaneous wall veins as collaterals in a patient with congenital absent IVC with preservation of a hypoplastic suprarenal segment. An additional abdominal sonography revealed no signs of liver cirrhosis During anamnesis, he reported a history of deep vein thrombosis in both lower limbs at age 50, and recurring thrombosis at age 62 of unknown etiology. Written informed consent was obtained for all procedures, which were in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the recommendations of the local ethics committee
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
