OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of ultrasonography in prenatal diagnosis of left inferior vena cava and double inferior vena cava in fetus. METHODS: The clinical data and ultrasonographic findings of the fetuses with left inferior vena cava (18 cases) or double inferior vena cava (16 cases) were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The ultrasonographic images of left inferior vena cava showed that in the transverse view of the fetal upper abdomen the inferior vena cava and abdominal aorta were in the normal position; below the level of the hilum, the inferior vena cava was located behind the left side of the abdominal aorta; at the level of the hilum, it crossed the front of the abdominal aorta and run diagonally to the upper right, forming the right inferior vena cava and finally entered into the right atrium. The ultrasonographic images of double inferior vena cava showed that in the transverse view of the fetal lower abdomen, in front of spine there were three transections of blood vessels; in coronal plane of abdomen, the veins run on both sides of the abdominal aorta and entered to the iliac vein of the same side. In 34 cases of abnormal inferior vena cava, there were 17 cases complicated with other system abnormalities, including 13 cases of cardiac anomalies. CONCLUSIONS The left inferior vena cava and double inferior vena cava have characteristic imaging findings, and prenatal diagnosis can be made with ultrasonography. This type of congenital deformity is frequently complicated with other system abnormalities, which should be excluded in fetus, especially for heart system.
Female ; Fetus ; abnormalities ; Heart Atria ; abnormalities ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging

Various anatomic anomalies have been considered the causes of nutcracker syndrome (NCS). Posterior NCS refers to the condition, in which vascular narrowing was secondary to the compression of the retroaortic left renal vein while it is crossing between the aorta and the vertebral column. Here, we report an unusual case of posterior NCS associated with a complicated malformation of the interrupted left inferior vena cava with azygos continuation and retroaortic right renal vein, diagnosed by both color Doppler ultrasonography and CT angiography.
Adult ; Azygos Vein/*abnormalities ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Renal Nutcracker Syndrome/*radiography/*ultrasonography ; Renal Veins/*abnormalities ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vena Cava, Inferior/*abnormalities

Congenital extrahepatic portocaval shunt (CEPS) is a rare anomaly of the mesenteric vasculature in which the intestinal and splenic venous drainage bypasses the liver and drains directly into the inferior vena cava, the left hepatic vein or the left renal vein. This uncommon disease is frequently associated with other malformations and mainly affects females. Here we report a case of pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with CEPS (Abernethy type 1b shunt) in a 20-yr-old man who was incidentally diagnosed during evaluation of multiple nodules of the liver. The patient was treated by inhalation of iloprost (40 microg/day) with improved condition and walking test. Physicians should note that congenital portocaval shunt may cause pulmonary hypertension.
Echocardiography, Doppler ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Iloprost/therapeutic use ; Liver/blood supply/radiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Thoracic Arteries/ultrasonography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vasodilator Agents/therapeutic use ; Vena Cava, Inferior/*abnormalities/ultrasonography ; Young Adult