Meandering right pulmonary vein to the left atrium and inferior vena cava: the first case with associated anomalies

Tex Heart Inst J. 2002;29(4):319-23.

Abstract

We report a case of a healthy, asymptomatic 6-year-old boy in whom an anomalous right pulmonary vein was noted to drain into both the inferior vena cava and left atrium in association with findings consistent with scimitar syndrome. The anomalous pulmonary vein took a very circuitous route through the lungs before draining into the left atrium, a condition previously termed "meandering pulmonary vein." To aid in the diagnosis, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography were used to delineate this complex course and the connection of the anomalous pulmonary vein. To our knowledge, this is the 1st reported case of a meandering pulmonary vein with dual drainage to the inferior vena cava and left atrium in association with other anomalies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / complications
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / diagnosis*
  • Heart Atria / abnormalities*
  • Heart Atria / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Atria / pathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Veins / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Veins / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Veins / pathology
  • Radiography
  • Scimitar Syndrome / complications
  • Scimitar Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / abnormalities*
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / diagnostic imaging*
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / pathology