Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, Alejandro et al. Incidental findings of vascular anatomic variants on computed tomography. Rev. argent. radiol. [online]. 2013, vol.77, n.1, pp.19-25. ISSN 1852-9992.

Introduction. Incidental findings of vascular anatomic variants on computed tomography scans (CT) may cause confusion, misdiagnosis and lead to even more invasive complementary exams. The knowledge of these variants is also important because they can be associated with other anomalies such as heart diseases or polysplenia, and symptoms like dysphagia or dyspnea. Purpose. The aim of this study is to describe the vascular anatomical variants incidentally found on computed tomography imaging. Materials and Methods. A total of 3586 scans were performed between June 2010 and June 2011 with 16-row and a 64-row Multidetector CT scanners. Findings included: right aortic arch, aberrant right subclavian artery, aberrant left subclavian vein, left superior vena cava, left inferior vena cava, double inferior vena cava, circumaortic renal vein, retroaortic left renal vein, subhepatic vein and azygous continuation of the inferior vena cava. Conclusion. Vascular anatomical variants are found with relative frequency on CT scans requested for other reasons. To be familiar with these anomalies may prevent confusions, diagnostic errors and unnecessary complementary exams and forces us to search for other associated anomalies.

Keywords : Computed tomography multidetector; Vascular anatomical variants; Computed tomography.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )