Two cases of inferior vena cava duplication with their CT findings and a review of the literature

Abstract

Duplication of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is the most common anomaly to affect the vena cava. Variations in the IVC are diagnosed in routine dissection studies, in retroperitoneal surgeries, or in computerised tomography (CT) sections ordered for various reasons. In this paper we present two cases of a double IVC together with the CT findings. The duplication might have occurred during embryological development. Although venous anomalies are rare, they have particular importance with respect to the interruptions that may occur during retroperitoneal and thoracic surgery or in the treatment of thrombo-embolic disease.