Anatomy and Cell Biology

Korean Association of Anatomists (대한해부학회)
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Morphometric characteristics of the aorta and heart in situs inversus totalis

  • Uliana Pidvalna (Department of Normal Anatomy, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University) ;
  • Marianna Mirchuk (Department of Normal Anatomy, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University) ;
  • Dmytro Beshley (Department of Normal Anatomy, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University) ;
  • Lesya Mateshuk-Vatseba (Department of Normal Anatomy, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University)
  • Received : 2021.12.24
  • Accepted : 2022.02.17
  • Published : 2022.06.30
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Abstract

Situs inversus totalis is a rare condition of visceral transposition in thoracic and abdominal cavities. Computed tomography (CT)-based morphometric analysis of the cardiovascular system prior to the surgery helps to describe vessel topography and size, choose the right surgical insertion site, avoid vessel trauma, and prevent hemorrhage during surgical intervention. We present a case report of situs inversus totalis detected incidentally in a 74-year-old male with the acute abdominal syndrome. Appropriate detailed aorta measurements are used to choose an adequate size of the aortic prosthesis during open surgical repair or endovascular aneurysm repair. An accurate assessment of the vessels on CT scans assists in consideration of the catheter diameter and the most reliable cannulation site. Vessel size correlates with morphological conditions (kinking, stenosis, occlusion), which may be considered a risk of organ malperfusion. The anatomical analysis prior to surgery in different anatomical variations may ensure patient safety and predict complications.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We thank Palij V., MD and Yatsukhnenko M., MD for assistance. The study is funded as a part of the planned research work of the Department of Normal Anatomy, state registration No. 0120U002129.

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