Dilatation of the azygos vein simulating a mediastinal tumour.

Abstract

A mediastinal tumour was simulated by gross dilatation of the azygos vein resulting from compression by enlarged hilar lymph nodes at the point where it crossed the right main bronchus to enter the superior vena cava. This cause of dilatation of the azygos vein has not previously been reported.Published reports are reviewed and attention drawn to the large proportion of patients (11/19) with this condition who had needless thoracotomies. The possibility of making a diagnosis by means of clinical observation and simple radiological techniques and thus avoiding surgical intervention is discussed.

Vocal Cord Paralysis: Association With Superior Mediastinal Widening Secondary to Tortuosity of the Great Vessels

“…Siddorn and Worsornu2 mention that 11 of 19 patients with dilated azygos veins had their conditions diagnosed at the time of exploratory thoracoto¬ my. 2 Buckling of the innominate artery was first described anatomically in 1852" and is a relatively common cause of right superior mediastinal widen¬ ing.…”