Left superior vena cava: radiologic finding

The left superior vena cava represents an infrequent variant found in about 0.5% of the general population. We present an incidental finding of a left superior vena cava during a radiologic scan. It consisted of a single venous trunk that originated from the junction of both right and left innominate veins and ran through the left side of the upper mediastinum in direction to the heart. The superior vena cava on the right side was absent. Although a rare variation, the presence and the anatomical features of the left superior vena cava should not be omitted due to its implications in both percutaneous and surgical approaches to the veins of the neck and thorax.