Scimitar syndrome: cine magnetic resonance imaging demonstration of anomalous pulmonary venous drainage.

A "scimitar" shadow was found on routine chest roentgenography in an asymptomatic patient. Evaluation with cine magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an anomalous pulmonary vein draining into the inferior vena cava below the diaphragm. The diagnosis of scimitar syndrome was confirmed and successfully repaired at operation. Cine magnetic resonance imaging may be of considerable value in the assessment of congenital pulmonary venous abnormalities and may provide an alternative to more traditional invasive diagnostic techniques in certain circumstances.