Double superior vena cava

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Biopsy proven peripheral cholangiocarcinoma. Patient attends for completion staging with CT chest.

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Male
ct

Contrast administered via a cannula in the left forearm.

Duplicated superior vena cava.

The normal right side poorly opacified due to preferential filling from the left - the side of the cannula.

The aberrant left SVC drains into the right atrium.

NB. The known cholangiocarcinoma is observed in the liver.

Case Discussion

Superior vena cava duplication - an anatomical variant.

In this case an incidental finding - staging CT of chest for biopsy-proven cholangiocarcinoma.

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