title: Paradoxical emboli from left superior vena cava causing recurrent brain abscess.
abstract: Persistent left superior vena cava is a rare but well-recognised condition. We describe a case of persistent left superior vena cava draining directly into the left atrium, with a fixed anatomical right-to-left shunt and paradoxical embolic events causing recurrent brain abscess. Surgical ligation was curative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Heart Centre Singapore, 17 Third Hospital Avenue, Singapore. zackkk18@yahoo.com
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Ch'ng
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Soon
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000209:etiology; D018376:Cardiovascular Abnormalities / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous; D004617:Embolism / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012008:Recurrence; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*