Partial anomalous drainage of pulmonary venous to the inferior vena cava (scimitar syndrome): the part of radiated methods of research in primary diagnostic and control of surgical treatment

Background. “Scimitar” syndrome is a rare congenital malformation with a frequency of 2 per 100,000 newborns. The syndrome is manifested by complete abnormal drainage of the pulmonary veins of the right lung into the inferior vena cava. According to the literature, a typical symptom of scimitar syndrome can be detected on radiographs in no more than 1/3 of patients. Only complex radiation diagnostics with the inclusion of multispiral computed tomographic angiography allows to diagnose “scimitar” syndrome, determine all its components, clarify the anatomical features and determine the volume and tactics of further cardiac surgery.

Objective of the present clinical case is to assess the role of radiation research methods in the primary diagnosis and control of surgical treatment of scimitar syndrome.

Materials and methods. A 39-year-old patient with a history of open arterial duct ligation and complaints of fatigue, shortness of breath arising from household loads was examined. According to the results of the chest x-ray and MSCT angiography of the chest organs, “scimitar” syndrome was diagnosed, the patient underwent a two-stage cardiosurgical treatment with the assessment of the results by MSCT angiography. Results. According to the results of radiation studies, the patient revealed a rare congenital malformation — “scimitar” syndrome.

Conclusion. MSCT angiography of the chest is a highly informative, minimally invasive diagnostic method for the scimitar syndrome. MSCT angiography of the chest allows you to visually and accurately visualize the type of abnormal drainage, the course and place of the confluence of the collector, the presence of anastomoses with the left heart, which directly affects the definition of tactics for surgical correction of the disease. MSCT angiography of the chest allows you to evaluate the results of surgical treatment.

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