Situs inversus totalis: Case report

Abstract

Situs inversus totalis is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by the mirror-image position of abdominal and thoracic organs, and the heart compared to their normal anatomical position. The estimated prevalence of situs inversus totalis in the general population ranges from 1:6500 to 1:25000. Situs inversus totalis can be associated with primary ciliary dyskinesia, structural abnormalities of the heart, and congenital anomalies of visceral organs, and the clinical picture depends on the associated congenital anomalies. However, in most cases, individuals with situs inversus totalis do not have associated congenital anomalies and health problems and the diagnosis is usually made incidentally during a medical examination. Due to the reverse position of thoracic and abdominal organs, the clinical picture of abdominal and cardiovascular diseases in these individuals can be atypical, and knowledge of their anatomy can help avoid diagnostic errors, complications, and unfavourable outcomes. This is the case of a three-year-old boy with situs inversus totalis, without associated congenital anomalies, in whom the diagnosis was made during the investigation of fever of unknown aetiology.