An anomalous left adrenal vein draining into both the left renal vein and inferior vena cava: A case report.

A male patient in his forties was diagnosed with primary aldosteronism following blood tests. The patient requested surgical treatment and was transferred to our department for adrenal vein sampling. Preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed that the left adrenal vein (LAV) did not form a common trunk with the left inferior phrenic vein, and instead drained into both the left renal vein (LRV) and inferior vena cava (IVC) after the bifurcation. Angiography from the LAV showed a branch draining into the IVC. Left-sided sampling was performed. Aldosterone levels were elevated at all 3 sites. Because the sampling results were bilaterally positive, the patient was contraindicated for surgery. There are no reports of an anomalous LAV draining into both the LRV and IVC, making this case extremely unique. Regarding the LAV sampling site, it has been reported that aldosterone levels are higher in the common trunk than in the LAV. Therefore, we increased the number of blood sampling sites. In adrenal vein sampling, we often focus on the anatomy of the right adrenal vein because of difficulties in accessing to it. However, anomalies of the LAV may also occur. Therefore, it is important to determine the anatomy of both adrenal veins using preoperative contrast-enhanced CT to plan an appropriate sampling strategy.