Chiari's network: review of the literature.
The Chiari network, present in approximately 2% of the population, and is a reticulated network of fibers originating from the Eustachian connecting to different parts of the right atrium. Its presence results from incomplete reabsorption of the right valve of the sinus venosus. Chiari's network is often clinically insignificant. However, it has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of thromboembolic disease, endocarditis, arrhythmias, and entrapment of catheters upon percutaneous intervention. While initially discovered and researched using autopsy dissections, Chiari's network is often found as an incidental finding on diagnostic imaging studies, thus providing new methods for studying its incidence and clinical significance.
Loukas
Marios
M
Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, St George's University, Grenada, West Indies. mloukas@sgu.edu
Sullivan
Ashley
A
Tubbs
R Shane
RS
Weinhaus
Anthony J
AJ
Derderian
Trevor
T
Hanna
Michael
M
D006325:Heart Atria / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000033:anatomy & histology*