[Absence of subrenal inferior vena cava revealed by rupture of duodenal varices in an adult].

This report concerns a case of absence of caudal inferior vena cava revealed by gastrointestinal bleeding from isolated duodenal varices by an adult. The diagnosis of duodenal varices was performed by ultrasonographic endoscopy. Development of duodenal varices in absence of portal hypertension is uncommon. Involvement of cavo-portal collateral circulation in case of inferior vena cava obstruction is unusual and duodenal varices are still more rarely encountered. Diagnosis was ultimately supported by femoral venous angiography showing the absence of inferior vena cava and a venous return from the right lumbar vein into the portal vein via the duodenal varices. The absence of caudal portion of inferior vena cava is more probably related to neo-natal thrombosis than to a true atresia.