Signo de la cimitarra

Abstract

The scimitar sign refers to the image resembling a short, curved Turkish sword called scimitar, created by an anomalous pulmonary vein. It can be seen in chest radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance. It forms part of the scimitar syndrome, characterized by partial or total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, associated with hypoplasia of the right lung and dextrocardia. Depending on the magnitude of the right-to-left shunt, it may present in children with pulmonary hypertension and right cardiac failure, or as asymptomatic imaging findings in adults.