Publication:

Dextrocardia with situs inversus totalis in a boy: a case report

Situs inversus with dextrocardia is the complete inversion of position of the thoracic and abdominal viscera. It may be isolated or associated with malformations, especially cardiac and/or alimentary. Also, it may be discovered in infancy because of associated anomalies but often remains asymptomatic and is discovered incidentally in adult life. I report a 5-year-old Saudi healthy boy found to have dextrocardia with situs inversus totalis while presenting for a routine medical check-up visit. This incidental finding of dextrocardia with situs inversus totalis was detected by physical examination and was confirmed later by echocardiogram and other radiological studies. This report underscores the need for proper and complete physical examination with special emphasis on cardiovascular system examination for all healthy and sick children seen in the clinic.