Scimitar syndrome

Scimitar syndrome
Chest MR angiography in a patient with scimitar syndrome
Classification and external resources
Specialty medical genetics
ICD-10 Q26.8
ICD-9-CM 747.49
MeSH D012587

Scimitar syndrome, or pulmonary venolobar syndrome, is a rare congenital heart defect characterized by anomalous venous return from the right lung (to the systemic venous drainage, rather than directly to the left atrium).[1] This anomalous pulmonary venous return can be either partial (PAPVR) or total (TAPVR). The syndrome associated with PAPVR is more commonly known as Scimitar syndrome after the curvilinear pattern created on a chest radiograph by the pulmonary veins that drain to the inferior vena cava.[2] This radiographic density often has the shape of a scimitar, a type of curved sword.[2]

Presentation

Chest x-ray of a five-year-old girl with Scimitar syndrome. The heart (blue outline) is shifted into the right half of the chest, and the anomalous pulmonary venous return (red) has a shape reminiscent of a Scimitar.

The anomalous venous return forms a curved shadow on chest x-ray such that it resembles a scimitar. This is called the Scimitar Sign. Associated abnormalities include right lung hypoplasia with associated ()dextroposition of the heart, pulmonary artery hypoplasia and pulmonary sequestration.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made by transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography, angiography, and more recently by CT angiography or MR Angiography.

Treatment

Surgical correction should be considered in the presence of significant left to right shunting (Qp:Qs ≥ 2:1) and pulmonary hypertension. This involves creation of an inter-atrial baffle to redirect the pulmonary venous return into the left atrium. Alternatively, the anomalous vein can be re-implanted directly into the left atrium.

References

  1. Sehgal, Arvind; Loughran-Fowlds, Allison, Clinical Brief: Scimitar Syndrome (PDF), medIND — Biomedical journals from India, retrieved 2008-02-28
  2. 1 2 Scimitar Syndrome, Children's Hospital Boston, retrieved 2008-02-28

Further reading

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