CT demonstration of intrapulmonary right brachiocephalic vein associated with an azygos lobe

Intrapulmonary course of superior caval vein associated with azygos lobe

We report a case of a 4-month-old boy with tetralogy of Fallot where computed tomography angiography incidentally revealed the presence of a unique extra-mediastinal and intrapulmonary course of the superior caval vein within the anterior portion of the azygos fissure.

A cadaver with azygos lobe and its clinical significance

Although an azygos lobe is a rare anomaly of the lung, its radiological appearance has been well defined. Clinically, the azygos lobe has been accepted as a normal variation that can simulate various diseases. However, on chest roentgenograms, this anomaly may appear to be present if there are any other pathological conditions. So, the detection of this anomaly and clarification of its precise anatomical features are important not only to differentiate this anomaly from other pathological conditions, but also to alert the surgeon to potential problems during surgery. In the present study, an azygos lobe was observed on the right lung of a 56-year-old male cadaver. Because of the clinical importance and rare occurrence, this anomaly was compared and discussed with other related articles.

Intrapulmonary right brachiocephalic vein associated with azygos lobe

A rare case of right brachiocephalic vein (RBV) following an extramediastinal and intrapulmonary course in the anterior portion of the azygos fissure is presented. The appearance of the RBV and superior vena cava (SVC) on the chest radiograph in patients with an azygos lobe reflects the variable relationship between these veins and their mediastinal attachments. Computed tomography (CT) can easily demonstrate the mediastinal vascular anatomy thereby allowing identification of such variants and differentiation from anomalous pulmonary veins draining into the systemic vein.

The azygos lobe: normal variants that may simulate disease

In this paper we describe the normal appearance of the azygos lobe on conventional radiography and CT, presenting variants that may simulate pathology on the chest radiograph. We describe the signs that allow identification of such variants and the role of CT in explaining the findings and excluding a pathological process.