Accidental Cannulation of Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava in a Case of Absent Right Internal Jugular Vein: A Case Report on the Role of Ultrasonography and X-Ray.
Persistent left superior vena cava is a rare vascular anatomical variant. Although ultrasonography has facilitated the process of central venous catheterization, it cannot be used to locate the tip of a catheter. Postprocedure chest X-ray is desirable for locating the course and tip of the catheter. In our case, initial ultrasonography demonstrated the absence of the right internal jugular vein. This prompted insertion of a central venous catheter on the left side of the neck in the presence of normal vascular anatomy. A subsequent chest X-ray revealed an abnormal course of the catheter consistent with presence of persistent left superior vena cava.
From the *Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Barnet Hospital, London, United Kingdom; and †Department of Anaesthesia, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Bandra (West), Mumbai, India.
Nilesh B
NB
Sonawane
Falguni Rajendra
FR
Shah
Prakash Jagadish
PJ
Gawankar
D000328:Adult; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014463:Ultrasonography; D054079:Vascular Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*