The left brachiocephalic vein 'spur': A cadaveric and contrast computed tomography study.

Abstract

Objectives This study investigated the presence of the ‘spur’ which separates the lumen in the left brachiocephalic vein (LBV). Method We macroscopically observed the lumen of the bilateral brachiocephalic veins and the superior vena cava in 56 cadavers. The samples were treated with haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunostaining using an α-smooth muscle action antibody. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography images from 170 subjects were analysed. Results The septal structure was found in only 7% of LBVs included in the cadaveric study and 1.2% of LBVs included in the contrast-enhanced computed tomography image analysis. In the cadaveric study, the septal structure was identified as a ‘spur’ using histopathology. In both studies, a non-septal structure was found in the right brachiocephalic vein. Conclusions This is the first report indicating the existence of an LBV ‘spur’.