Familial Chromosome No. 9 Pericentic Inversion Producing Scimitar Syndrome

Scimitar syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly that is characterized by hypoplasia of the right lung and the right pulmonary artery with anomalous pulmonary venous drainage to the inferior vena cava. The scimitar vein is usually visible on chest radiographs, but may be obscured by the heart. It is essential for surgical correction to establish the point of drainage of the anomalous vein and associated anomalies. There are recent reports of familial total anomalous pulmonary venous return suggesting heritable forms of this anomaly. Although genetic factors are believed to have important roles in congenital heart disease, few genes involved in heart development have been located. We report a case of familial chromosome 9 inversion with Scimitar syndrome in an offspring who presented with dextrocardia. Evaluation with magnetic resonance cineangiograph imaging demonstrated an anomalous pulmonary vein draining into the inferior vena cava above the diaphragm and hypoplasia of the right lung and the right pulmonary artery. Chromsome analysis showed pericentric inversion of chromosome 9, inv 9 (p13, q21), in the patient and his mother as well. A brief review of the related literature is also included.