A rare lymphatico-venous communication associated with duplication of thoracic duct

An unusual presentation of the duplication of thoracic duct with a rare lymphatico- venous communication was found during the routine dissection for undergraduate students. The thoracic duct duplicated at the level of T12 vertebra. Normally thoracic duct opens into the junction of left internal jugular vein and subclavian vein. On the right side of the neck, the right lymphatic duct conveys the lymph from the head and neck, the upper extremity and the right side of the thorax to the right innominate vein. Here, the duplicated thoracic duct on the left side opened directly into the inferior vena cava. The above case is discussed with regard to its development, incidence, and clinical significance.