PERSISTENT LEFT SUPERIOR VENA CAVA DISCOVERED DURING IMPLANTATION OF A SUBCUTANEOUS PORT CATHETER IN A PATIENT WITH A MALIGNANT NEOPLASM

A persistent left superior vena cava is a significant congenital anomaly of the intrathoracic veins that occurs when the left superior cardinal vein fails to obliterate. Most commonly, it is observed in conjunction with a right superior vena cava, while isolated cases are rare. The overwhelming majority of cases are identified in patients with cardiac arrhythmias. The presence of a persistent left superior vena cava may cause technical difficulties and iatrogenic injuries during surgical interventions. Preoperative echocardiography and computed tomographic phlebography enable the detection of this anomaly.