CT scans in four cases of chronic superior vena cava or left brachiocephalic vein obstruction demonstrate a systemic-to-cardiac collateral venous pathway through anastomoses between the pericardial branches of systemic veins and the presumed adventitial veins of the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk. These adventitial veins then drain into tributaries of the anterior cardiac veins or ventricular coronary veins.
Aged ; Brachiocephalic Veins/*abnormalities/*radiography ; Collateral Circulation ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Coronary Vessel Anomalies/*radiography ; Humans ; Male ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome/*radiography ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed