title: Left superior vena cava: a pitfall in computed tomographic diagnosis with surgical implications.
abstract: We report 2 cases in which computed tomography of the mediastinum demonstrated an abnormality originally misinterpreted as lymphadenopathy but subsequently shown to represent a left superior vena cava. Misinterpretation may result in errors in optimum treatment and may complicate surgical exploration of the mediastinum. These 2 cases are presented to remind radiologists and surgeons of the possibility of this unusual anatomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Brompton Hospital, London.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goldstraw
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media