Incidental Heterotaxy Syndrome With Polysplenia and Inferior Vena Cava Agenesis Identified During Trauma Evaluation

This case report describes a young adult male in his 20s who was admitted following a high-speed motor vehicle collision resulting in polytrauma, including a femoral shaft fracture. Initial computed tomography performed for polytrauma incidentally revealed heterotaxy syndrome with polysplenia; agenesis of the inferior vena cava with hemiazygos continuation; and intestinal malrotation. Orthopedic management proceeded uneventfully. This case highlights several important learning points: inferior vena cava agenesis is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, necessitating heightened awareness and appropriate thromboprophylaxis in trauma and perioperative settings; associated venous anomalies should be clearly documented to inform future procedural planning and patient safety; and asymptomatic intestinal malrotation identified in adulthood can often be managed conservatively with surveillance rather than intervention.

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Journal
Cureus
Published
2026-02-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.104094
Primary Topic
Vascular anomalies and interventions
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Incidental Heterotaxy Syndrome With Polysplenia and Inferior Vena Cava Agenesis Identified During Trauma Evaluation

Hend Alahmed, Labib S Al Ozaibi, Zahra Saeed Ahmed, Shamma Abdallah et al.
Cureus
Vascular anomalies and interventions
article

Incidental Heterotaxy Syndrome With Polysplenia and Inferior Vena Cava Agenesis Identified During Trauma Evaluation

Hend Alahmed, Labib S Al Ozaibi, Zahra Saeed Ahmed, Shamma Abdallah, Fatemeh Akbarpoor
article en

Abstract

This case report describes a young adult male in his 20s who was admitted following a high-speed motor vehicle collision resulting in polytrauma, including a femoral shaft fracture. Initial computed tomography performed for polytrauma incidentally revealed heterotaxy syndrome with polysplenia; agenesis of the inferior vena cava with hemiazygos continuation; and intestinal malrotation. Orthopedic management proceeded uneventfully. This case highlights several important learning points: inferior vena cava agenesis is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, necessitating heightened awareness and appropriate thromboprophylaxis in trauma and perioperative settings; associated venous anomalies should be clearly documented to inform future procedural planning and patient safety; and asymptomatic intestinal malrotation identified in adulthood can often be managed conservatively with surveillance rather than intervention.

CureusVol. 18(2)
Dubai Health Authority (AE), Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (AE)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 46%
Vascular anomalies and interventions
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