Venous Anomalies of the Thorax

Dilated azygos arch mimicking an aortic arch anomaly during thoracic surgery

“…Normally, the AV originates at the junction of the right ascending lumbar and subcostal veins, entering the thorax through the aortic hiatus. It ascends along the anterolateral surface of the thoracic vertebrae and arches ventrally just cephalad to the right main bronchus at T5-6, draining into the SVC or, more rarely, into the right brachiocephalic vein, right subclavian vein, intrapericardial SVC or right atrium [3,8]. Abnormal fusion between the hepatic and the prerenal segments of the IVC results in the infrahepatic hypoplasia or interruption of the IVC with azygos continuation and compensatory enlargement [19].…”

Congenital Thoracic Venous Anomalies in Adults: Morphologic MR Imaging

“…However, this anomaly requires precise documentation as it can mimic a mediastinal mass in radiography and may be associated with increased risk of thrombosis, embolization, and SVC obstruction. 10 Anomalies of the BCV. A retroaortic LBCV is usually seen in patients with congenital heart disease (prevalence of 0.5%-0.6%), being rarely described in patients without it (prevalence of 0.02%).…”

“…In isolated cross-sectional images, this anomaly may resemble a persistent LSVC or partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR); however, tracing the vessel through sequential images provides the correct diagnosis. 10,12 Inferior Vena Cava and Azygos System…”

“…While some patients present severe cardiorespiratory symptoms, large left to right shunts or cardiac anomalies requiring surgery, others may be asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms thereby requiring no therapy. 10 Congenital anomalies that may be associated with scimitar syndrome include hypoplastic left heart, aortic coarctation, bronchogenic cysts, bronchopulmonary sequestration, horseshoe lung, pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, accessory diaphragm, and diaphragmatic hernia. 3,28 …”

Altered topography of systemic veins following lung tissue resection: the effect on de novo cardiac implantable electronic device implantation

“…Problems at this stage may be due to embryonic systemic venous abnormalities or, alternatively, to past cardio or cardiothoracic surgery [1,4,6].…”