• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.95-108
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• 2024

The azygos venous system is a crucial conduit of the posterior thorax and potentially vital collateral pathway. However, it is often overlooked clinically and radiologically. This pictorial essay reviews the normal azygos venous anatomy and CT findings of congenital variations and structural changes associated with acquired pathologies.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1550-1555
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• 1992

From June 1989 to July 1992, we used centrifugal Biomedicus pump[CBP] in 20 patients In 9 cases, CBP was used as ventricular assistance after heart surgery for those who could not be weaned off bypass even with intra-aortic balloon counter-pulsation and with maximal inotropic support In 8 patients, CBP was used as partial left heart bypass during repair of aortic aneurysms or congenital aortic anomalies. And in 3 patients, CBP was used as vena caval bypass during resection of renal cell carcinoma with tumor extension into the inferior vena cava. In 2 of 9 patients with ventricular assistance, they were weaned off the device successfully after 16 hours and 7 days respectively. But the patients died of intracranial hemorrhage and sepsis, 7 and 29 days after weaning from cardiac support, respectively. In all the patients who underwent aortic of vena caval surgery using CBP as shunt, there were no complications such as postoperative bleeding necessitating reoperation, renal failure or neurologic sequelae. In conclusion, the centrifugal type of ventricular assistance may be potentially life saving treatment modality in patients with severe postoperative low cardiac output syndrome. The CBP can be safely employed for resection of renal cell carcinoma with vena caval tumor extension and for repair of aortic aneurysms.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.781-783
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• 2001

In a patient with single ventricle associated with complex systemic and/or pulmonary venous drainage, intraatrial Fontan procedure is sometimes technically difficult due to the complex spatial relationship between their orifices in the atrium. We report a case of the modified extracardiac conduit Fontan procedure in a patient with a single ventricle in which the inferior vena cava and the hepatic vein drained separately into the atrium and the intraatrial orifice of the hepatic vein was abut to the orifice of the left lower pulmonary vein.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.525-528
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• 2010

Congenital interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC) can lead to secondary hepatic congestion, portal hypertension, and liver cirrhosis. A 49-year-old woman was admitted to the gynecology department with symptoms of menorrhalgia, known uterine myoma, and anemia. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and venography performed at our hospital revealed congenital interruption of the IVC. The patient underwent retrohepatic cavoatrial bypass surgery with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) 16-mm ringed graft via posterolateral thoracotomy, and recovered without major complications. A retroperitoneal approach via posterolateral thoracotomy provides appropriate visualization during dorsal cavoatrial bypass in treating patients with congenital interruption of IVC.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.215-218
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• 2014

Blunt abdominal trauma may often cause multiple vascular injuries. However, common iliac artery injuries without associated bony injury are very rarely seen in trauma patients. In the present case, a 77-year-old male patient who had no medical history was admitted via the emergency room with blunt abdominal trauma caused by a forklift. At admission, the patient was in shock and had abdominal distension. On abdomino-pelvic computed tomography (CT), the patient was seen to have hemoperitoneum, right common iliac artery thrombosis and left common iliac artery rupture. During surgery, an additional injury to inferior vena cava was confirmed, and a primary repair of the inferior vena cava was successfully performed. However, the bleeding from the left common iliac artery could not be controlled, even with multiple sutures, so the left common iliac artery was ligated. Through an inguinal skin incision, the right common iliac artery thrombosis was removed with a Forgaty catheter and a femoral-to-femoral bypass graft was successfully performed. After the post-operative 13th day, on a follow-up CT angiography, the femoral-to-femoral bypass graft was seen to have good patency, but a right common iliac artery dissection was diagnosed. Thus, a right common iliac artery stent was inserted. Finally, the patient was discharged without complications.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.181-188
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• 2022

Purpose: Inferior vena cava (IVC) collapse is related to hypovolemia. Sonography has been used to measure the IVC diameter, but there is variation depending on the skill of the operator and it is difficult to obtain accurate measurements in patients who have a large amount of intestinal gas or are obese. As a modality to obtain accurate measurements, we measured the diameters of the IVC and aorta on trauma computed tomography scans and investigated the correlation between the IVC to aorta ratio and the shock index in blunt trauma patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 588 trauma patients who were transferred to the regional trauma center (level 1) of Wonkang University Hospital from March 2020 to February 2021. We included trauma patients 18 years or older who met the trauma activation criteria and underwent trauma computed tomography scans with intravenous contrast within 40 minutes of admission. The shock index was calculated from vital signs before trauma computed tomography scan, and measurements of the anteroposterior diameter of the IVC (AP), the transverse diameter of the IVC (T), and aorta were made 10 mm above the right renal vein in the venous phase. Results: Overall, 271 patients were included in this study, of whom 150 had a shock index ≤0.7 and 121 had a shock index >0.7. The T to AP ratio and AP to aorta ratio were significantly different between groups. Cutoffs were identified for the T to AP ratio and AP to aorta ratio (2.37 and 0.62, respectively) that produced clinically useful sensitivity and specificity for predicting a shock index >0.7, demonstrating moderate accuracy (T to AP ratio: area under the curve, 0.71; sensitivity, 59%; specificity, 87% and AP to aorta ratio: area under the curve, 0.70; sensitivity, 55%; specificity, 91%). Conclusions: The T to AP ratio and AP to aorta ratio are useful for predicting hemorrhagic shock in trauma patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.4
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• pp.879-888
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• 2023

Purpose The present study was to evaluate the outcomes of Denali filter retrieval. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed 143 patients who received Denali filter insertion from September 2015 to April 2020. Ninety-seven patients who required removal of the filters were include in this study. Filters were retrieved with either standard or advanced techniques. Venography before and after retrieval was obtained to evaluate technical success, complications and duration of filter insertion. Results All 97 filters were retrieved successfully without complications. Ninety-two (94.8%) were retrieved with standard technique and 5 filters (5.2%) required the advanced technique. There were two cases with a filter angle greater than 15 degrees. Inferior vena cava penetration was shown in 17 patients (17.5%) on venography but was not associated with contrast media extravasation after filter removal. Conclusion The Denali filter showed a high rate of successful retrieval without complications. This study adds value to previous studies and trials showing that the Denali filter is a reliable and safe filter that can potentially improve retrieval rates, with increasing use of this device.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.250-253
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• 1982

A persistent left superior vena cava draining into the left atrium associated with atresia of the coronary sinus-ostium, ASD, and PDA is a rare congenital anomaly. The patient was a 4 year-old female whose complaints were frequent URI and exertional dyspnea. The congenital heart anomaly was suspected at 2 months of her age. Chest films showed cardiomegaly [C-T ratio, 75%]. EKG, Echocardiography, cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography were performed. Open heart surgery was done under impression of LV-RA shunt, bilateral superior vena cavae, and ASD. At the time of operation, huge LA and RA, inferior vena caval defect of a secundum type ASD [1.5 x 3cm in diameter], absence of innominate vein, atresia of the coronary sinus-ostium, and persistent LSVC draining into LA were noted. Direct suture closure of ASD and ligation of LSVC were done. The patient`s postoperative course was somewhat eventful: systolic murmur at apex remained. Four months after the operation, congestive heart failure attacked a few times. PDA that was overlooked at the time of open heart surgery was detected through postoperative cardiac catheterization in.4 months later. Emergent operation for closure of PDA was performed on the day of recatheterization. After that, patient`s heart failure was easily controlled without any notable problem.

• International Journal of Vascular Biomedical Engineering
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2004

Both flow visualizations and computational fluid dynamics were performed to determine hemodynamics in a total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) model for surgically correcting congenital heart defects. From magnetic resonance images, an anatomically correct glass model was fabricated to visualize steady flow. The total flow rates were 4, 6 and 8L/min and flow rates from SVC and IVC were 40:60. The flow split ratio between LPA and RPA was varied by 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50. A pressure-based finite-volume software was used to solve steady flow dynamics in TCPC models. Results showed that superior vena cava(SVC) and inferior vena cava(IVC) flow merged directly to the intra-atrial conduit, creating two large vortices. Significant swirl motions were observed in the intra-atrial conduit and pulmonary arteries. Flow collision or swirling flow resulted in energy loss in TCPC models. In addition, a large intra-atrial channel or a sharp bend in TCPC geometries could influence on energy losses. Energy conservation was efficient when flow rates in pulmonary branches were balanced. In order to increase energy efficiency in Fontan operations, it is necessary to remove a flow collision in the intra-atrial channel and a sharp bend in the pulmonary bifurcation.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.262-265
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• 2015

An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) from the renal artery following a penetrating abdominal trauma is not common. We report the case of a 19-year-old male who presented with a knife stab wound in the right upper quadrant. Due to unstable vital signs and to the protrusion of the mesentery through the stab wound, providing definite evidence of peritoneal violation, an emergent exploratory laparotomy was carried out. There were injuries at the proximal transverse mesocolon and the second portion of the duodenum, with bile leakage. There was also a mild amount of retroperitoneal hematoma near the right kidney, without signs of expansion or pulsation. The mesocolon and the duodenum were repaired. After the operation, abdominal computerized tomography (CT) was performed, which revealed contrast from the right renal artery shunting directly into the vena cava. Transcatheter arterial embolization with a coil and vascular plug was performed, and the fistula was repaired. The patient recovered completely and was discharged without complication. For further and thorough evaluation of an abdominal trauma, especially one involving the retroperitoneum, a CT scan is recommended, when possible, either prior to surgery or after surgery when the patient is stabile. Furthermore, a lateral retroperitoneal hematoma and an AVF after a penetrating trauma may not always require exploration. Sometimes, it may be safely treated non-operatively or with embolization.