Variations of Arch of Azygos Vein: An Anatomical Overview With Clinical Importance

Abstract

Background: The azygos venous system represents an accessory venous pathway supplying an important collateral circulation between the superior and inferior vena cava. The azygos vein is a collateral venous pathway, becoming a vital shunt if major pathways of venous return are obstructed.

Variations of azygos vein: a cadaveric study with clinical relevance

“…Termination of AV can be in SVC or brachiocephalic vein [ 1 ]. In the present study, termination of AV into SVC was noted in all 30 cases (100%), which is in accordance with the study done by Prasad and K [ 15 ] and Tatar et al [ 26 ] but, Raghavendra and Bhosale [ 27 ] observed this in only 88.9% cases ( Table 3 ).…”

“…Nirmala and Teresa [ 17 ] observed it at T3–T4 level in all 100% cases. In the present study, in 70% cases it was seen to be at the level of T4 which was in agreement with Latha and Sugavasi [ 18 ] and Raghavendra and Bhosale [ 27 ].…”

“…External diameter at the level of formation and termination of AV is summarised in Table 4 . The mean external diameter of AV at the level of formation and termination was similar to the study of Kutoglu et al [ 28 ] and Tatar et al [ 26 ], Raghavendra and Bhosale [ 27 ] respectively. Patra et al [ 29 ] noted much larger diameter than the present study.…”