[Abnormal features of the sub renal portion of the inferior vena cava].
OBJECTIVE
to determine the frequency of the abnormal anatomical features affecting the inferior vena cava (IVC).


METHODS
we performed 161 dissections of the ICV on fresh (145) or formaldehyde-injected (16) cadavers. There were 86 men and 75 women.


RESULTS
we found two abnormalities of the IVC: one left IVC in a woman and one double IVC in a man. These malformations can be explained by the embryology of the IVC.


CONCLUSIONS
the frequency of abnormalities of the IVC is highly variable according to the studies: Richardson (1983) found 3% for the duplication of the IVC. Other malformations have been reported: double IVC, left IVC or right IVC with azygos prolongation. We never observed such associations in our study. Left IVC could be explained by the development of the left supra-cardinal vein and by that of the left sub-cardinal and intercardinal anastomoses. Double IVC corresponds either to the development of the left supra-cardinal vein or to the persistence of the left cardinal vein or the left sub-cardinal vein.


CONCLUSIONS
abnormalities of the ICV dysplay different anatomical features due to the complexity of the embryogenesis of this vessel; their frequency is far from being rare. Unknowing these abnormalities could lead to severe haemorrhages during surgical interventions on the retroperitoneal, cardiac or oesophageal regions.
Ongoïba
N
N
Laboratoire d'anatomie Faculté de médecine de Pharmacie et d'Odonto-Stomatologie de Bamako, Hôpital du Point G Service de Chirurgie B, BP 333, Bamako, Mali. ongoiba.nouhoum@caramail.com
Destrieux
C
C
Desme
J
J
Koumare
A K
AK
D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney; D008297:Male; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000002:abnormalities*