CONGENITAL abnormalities of the major afferent venous channels to the heart which may create symptoms during adolescence are uncommon. Among them, anomalies of the inferior vena cava (IVC) are of interest because of its complicated multivenous congenital origin. The incidence of an IVC abnormality found on angiography is 1.8% to 2%.1,2 Anderson3 reported an incidence of 0.6% for absence of IVC with cardiac anomalies.
A total of 14 cases of absence of the hepatic segment of IVC without cardiac anomalies were cited (1817 to 1965); eight were adults and six children. The correct diagnosis in all of these cases was made at autopsy.
A patient was seen in the Kings County Hospital, and reported on herein, in whom this defect coincided with agenesis of the hepatic veins proper and the diaphragmatic segment of the IVC. Combination of these anomalies in an adult was interesting to us; however, thorough