Anatomical observations on the renal veins and inferior vena cava at magnetic resonance angiography

• Published in: Cardiovascular and interventional radiology 1995-05, Vol.18 (3), p.153-157
• Main Authors: KAUFMAN, J. A, WALTMAN, A. C, RIVITZ, S. M, GELLER, S. C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular system; Contrast Media; Female; Gadolinium; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Renal Veins - anatomy & histology; Renal Veins - pathology; Vena Cava, Inferior - anatomy & histology; Vena Cava, Inferior - pathology
• ISSN: 0174-1551; 1432-086X
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00204141

To describe the renal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC) anatomy found at abdominal magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. Gadolinium-enhanced, three-dimensional, time-of-flight MR angiograms of 150 patients were evaluated for the number and configuration of the renal veins, and the number, configuration, and dimensions of the IVC. Data were analyzed with the Student's t-test. Retroaortic left renal veins were found in 7% of patients, circumaortic left renal veins in 5%, multiple right renal veins in 8%, and duplicated IVCs in 0.7%. The length of the infrarenal IVC averaged 94 mm in females and 110 mm in males (p < 0.00001). The length of the infrarenal IVC in patients with circumaortic and retroaortic left renal veins averaged 76 mm and 46 mm, respectively. The mean maximal caval diameter was 23.5 +/- 4 mm. No megacavae (diameter if the mid-IVC > 28 mm) were identified. Variant renal vein and IVC anatomy can be identified at MR angiography.