Incidental Diagnosis of Dextrocardia with Situs Inversus During Echocardiographic Examination: A Case Report from Zambia

Abstract

Dextrocardia with situs inversus is a rare congenital condition characterised by the mirrorimage reversal of the heart and the abdominal organs. This congenital anomaly has a prevalence rate of approximately 1 in 10,000 people and is higher in males than in females. It is generally asymptomatic unless associated with congenital heart conditions. For this reason, most individuals are unaware of having dextrocardia with situs inversus until they seek medical attention for unrelated conditions, as in this case report. In this case report, we report a case of dextrocardia with situs inversus in a 27-year-old female patient diagnosed incidentally during echocardiographic examination in a private medical facility in Zambia. This case underscores the crucial role of imaging examinations such as echocardiography, plain film radiography, and ultrasound in diagnosing dextrocardia with situs inversus, especially in resource-limited settings where advanced imaging modalities are scarce. It further emphasises the need for thorough examination techniques and awareness of anatomical variations to avoid diagnostic errors and guide appropriate patient management. The challenges related to their availability in the Zambian healthcare system are also reviewed.