Complicated Dextroversion of the Heart: A rare constellation of multiple congenital malformations in an infant: Case report and literature review

Dextroversion of the heart is a form of dextrocardia resulting from congenital malrotation of the heart about its long axis. The earliest reference to the condition is credited to Paltauf, who, in 1901, differentiated it from the other forms of dextrocardia. Since then, a considerable volume of information regarding this type of right-sided heart has accumulated. In spite of the fact that the radiologist is often the first to be confronted with the anomaly, only scant information concerning it is available in the radiological literature. Dextroversion may exist in association with an otherwise normally developed heart or it may be accompanied by numerous varieties of congenital cardiac anomalies. Dextroversion is an uncommon congenital anomaly characterized by situs solitus (normal position) of thoracic and abdominal viscera with right cardiac apex. Isolated dextroversion, i.e., without associated congenital heart disease, is rare, but its occurrence permits adult survival, setting the stage for late development of acquired heart disease. Exceptionally, dextroversion with abdominal heterotaxy has been mentioned by Robert P. Grant after reviewing the literature of 122 patients of dextroversion of heart in 1958. Herewith, we are reporting a case of dextroversion with situs solitus in association with a characteristic conundrum of multiple and rare congenital cardiac defects, in a 6 month old infant.