Implications of a Potentially Compressed Left-sided Inferior Vena Cava and Subsequent Systemic Venous Consequences

Background: The inferior vena cava (IVC) is a major vein responsible for transporting deoxygenated blood to the heart from the lower body. It is typically located on the right side following development. However, variations may arise such as a double-sided IVC or a left-sided IVC. These anomalies, while perceived inconsequential, may have significant underlying contributions to clinical conditions.
Results: Examination of an 86-year-old female cadaver revealed an incomplete left-sided IVC (LIVC), characterized by its position on the left side of the abdominal aorta before crossing over to the right side. The cadaver also exhibited hepatomegaly, potentially linked to this LIVC. The enlarged liver inferiorly displaced the left kidney, exacerbating angulation of the left renal vein. The presence of the LIVC may have clinical implications, such as an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and impacts on adjacent organs.
Conclusion: This case illustrates the underlying role that variations in left- right developmental patterning have on susceptibility to diseases or disorders. Considerations of such variations are critical in clinical diagnoses, particularly in cases presenting symptoms with indirect causes. This study contributes to the growing knowledge on IVC anomalies and their broader implications in treating underlying and perceived harmless contributors.