Incidental discovery of situs inversus totalis in a 72-year-old man

Abstract

Situs inversus totalis (SIT) which is also known as dextrocardia with situs inversus is a congenital anomaly of lateralization or sidedness. Although dextrocardia of itself is detectable on obstetrics sonography, it frequently goes undetected and these individuals are often diagnosed later in life. This is a case of SIT in a 72-year-old man, who has had normal life expectancy by Nigerian standards, detected incidentally on imaging evaluation for unrelated complaints. He presented with features of chest infection and intestinal obstruction. While on admission, he was also diagnosed with systemic hypertension and diabetes mellitus. He had no features of Kartagener's syndrome. SIT could be suspected clinically, but a definitive diagnosis often requires imaging. Medical personnel must always maintain a high index of suspicion for this relatively uncommon condition with a profound impact on administration and/or interpretation of clinical, investigative, and resuscitative procedures as well as management of ailments.