Isolated Azygos Continuation of the Inferior Vena cava in the Elderly

Abstract

A 70-year-old woman with the isolated anomaly of azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava is presented. The interest in this anomaly lies in its presentation as a mediastinal mass on the chest roentgenogram. This article reviews the embryogenesis and the diagnostic testing of this venous anomaly.

Enucleation of Esophageal Leiomyoma with Azygos Continuation of the Inferior Vena Cava: Report of a Case

“…7 Azygos continuation of the IVC also mimics a mediastinal tumor. 6 In this case, CT and magnetic resonance imaging easily diagnosed azygos continuation of the IVC and the esophageal tumor. The combination of these two diseases has never been reported in the literature.…”

“…6,7 Owing to agenesis of the hepatic tract of the inferior vena cava, the blood circulating in the caudal segments reaches the azygos system by way of a persisting right supracardinal vein. 8 This anomaly is a representative disease presenting with azygos vein enlargement and it must be differentiated from congestive heart failure, an obstruction of the superior vena cava, and splenic or portal vein thrombosis with portal hypertension.…”

“…2,5,[9][10][11] However, a ligation of the azygos vein in a patient with azygos continuation of the IVC is fatal. 6 Pulling a sling tape passed around the azygos vein inferiorly did not allow us to expose the lower part of the tumor. Therefore, conversion to a minithoracotomy and a transection of the right superior intercostal vein was needed for a full visualization of the tumor.…”

Uncommon Celiac Trunk Variations in Association with Other Vascular Anomalies-Two Case Reports

“…Ectatic azygos-hemiazygos system may be misdiagnosed as mediastinal, retrocrural and retroperitoneal adenopathies [12]. Also in the patient with azygos continuation of IVC the procedure as angiography and cardiac catheterization, shunt placement for portal hypertension and ligation or clipping of the IVC for thrombo embolism can be difficult [13].…”

Isolated interrupted inferior vena cava with azygos continuation mimicking paraesophageal lymph node enlargement

“…Interrupted IVC with azygos continuation is a rare clinical condition but in this situation, the azygos system dilates to accommodate visceral and lower the extremity of blood return to the right atrium. Although uncommon, these anomalies have been described as an isolated finding and can mimic a mediastinal mass [1,2,3,4]. If isolated interrupted IVC with azygos continuation is together with lung carcinoma, it can be misinterpreted as a lymphadenopathy in a patient who has been evaluated with unopacified CT scans.…”