link
Bookmarks
Azygos Continuation of the IVC
Jonathan Hero Chung, MD
To access 4,300 diagnoses written by the world's leading experts in radiology.Try it free - 15 days
0
5
2
0

KEY FACTS

  • Terminology

    • Imaging

      • Top Differential Diagnoses

        • Clinical Issues

          • Diagnostic Checklist

            TERMINOLOGY

            • Abbreviations

              • Inferior vena cava (IVC)
            • Synonyms

              • Interruption of IVC
              • Absence of hepatic segment of IVC with azygos continuation
            • Definitions

              • IVC is interrupted above renal veins
              • Hepatic veins drain directly into right atrium
              • Large azygos vein provides lower extremity venous return
                • Occasionally, large hemiazygos vein carries venous return
              • Due to persistent embryonic right supracardinal vein and failed development of suprarenal part of subcardinal vein
              • Associated with congenital heart disease and situs abnormalities, especially polysplenia (heterotaxy syndrome)

            IMAGING

            • General Features

              • Radiographic Findings

                • CT Findings

                  • MR Findings

                    • Imaging Recommendations

                      DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

                        PATHOLOGY

                        • General Features

                          • Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features

                            CLINICAL ISSUES

                            • Presentation

                              • Demographics

                                • Natural History & Prognosis

                                  • Treatment

                                    DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST

                                    • Consider

                                      • Image Interpretation Pearls

                                        Selected References

                                        1. Yildirim A et al: An unusual case of heterotaxy and polysplenia syndrome associated with hemiazygous continuation of the left-sided vena cava inferior, dilated azygous vein and large venous ectasia. Congenit Heart Dis. 6(3):262-5, 2011
                                        2. Mamidipally S et al: Azygous continuation of inferior vena cava. J Am Coll Cardiol. 56(21):e41, 2010
                                        3. Morita S et al: Pelvic venous variations in patients with congenital inferior vena cava anomalies: classification with computed tomography. Acta Radiol. 48(9):974-9, 2007
                                        4. Bartram U et al: Heterotaxy syndrome -- asplenia and polysplenia as indicators of visceral malposition and complex congenital heart disease. Biol Neonate. 88(4):278-90, 2005
                                        5. Demos TC et al: Venous anomalies of the thorax. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 182(5):1139-50, 2004
                                        6. Plata-Muñoz JJ et al: Polysplenia syndrome in the adult patient. Case report with review of the literature. Ann Hepatol. 3(3):114-7, 2004
                                        7. Yilmaz E et al: Interruption of the inferior vena cava with azygos/hemiazygos continuation accompanied by distinct renal vein anomalies: MRA and CT assessment. Abdom Imaging. 28(3):392-4, 2003
                                        8. Bass JE et al: Spectrum of congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava: cross-sectional imaging findings. Radiographics. 20(3):639-52, 2000
                                        9. Applegate KE et al: Situs revisited: imaging of the heterotaxy syndrome. Radiographics. 19(4):837-52; discussion 853-4, 1999
                                        10. Gayer G et al: Polysplenia syndrome detected in adulthood: report of eight cases and review of the literature. Abdom Imaging. 24(2):178-84, 1999
                                        11. Jelinek JS et al: MRI of polysplenia syndrome. Magn Reson Imaging. 7(6):681-6, 1989
                                        12. Munechika H et al: Hemiazygos continuation of a left inferior vena cava: CT appearance. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 12(2):328-30, 1988
                                        13. Cohen MI et al: Accessory hemiazygos continuation of left inferior vena cava: CT demonstration. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 8(4):777-9, 1984
                                        14. Schultz CL et al: Azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava: demonstration by NMR imaging. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 8(4):774-6, 1984
                                        15. Siegfried MS et al: Diagnosis of inferior vena cava anomalies by computerized tomography. Comput Radiol. 7(2):119-23, 1983
                                        16. Allen HA et al: Case report. Left-sided inferior vena cava with hemiazygos continuation. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 5(6):917-20, 1981
                                        17. Ginaldi S et al: Absence of hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava with azygous continuation. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 4(1):112-4, 1980
                                        18. O'Reilly RJ et al: The lateral chest film as an unreliable indicator of azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava. Circulation. 53(5):891-5, 1976
                                        Related Anatomy
                                        Loading...
                                        Related Differential Diagnoses
                                        Loading...
                                        References
                                        Tables

                                        Tables

                                        KEY FACTS

                                        • Terminology

                                          • Imaging

                                            • Top Differential Diagnoses

                                              • Clinical Issues

                                                • Diagnostic Checklist

                                                  TERMINOLOGY

                                                  • Abbreviations

                                                    • Inferior vena cava (IVC)
                                                  • Synonyms

                                                    • Interruption of IVC
                                                    • Absence of hepatic segment of IVC with azygos continuation
                                                  • Definitions

                                                    • IVC is interrupted above renal veins
                                                    • Hepatic veins drain directly into right atrium
                                                    • Large azygos vein provides lower extremity venous return
                                                      • Occasionally, large hemiazygos vein carries venous return
                                                    • Due to persistent embryonic right supracardinal vein and failed development of suprarenal part of subcardinal vein
                                                    • Associated with congenital heart disease and situs abnormalities, especially polysplenia (heterotaxy syndrome)

                                                  IMAGING

                                                  • General Features

                                                    • Radiographic Findings

                                                      • CT Findings

                                                        • MR Findings

                                                          • Imaging Recommendations

                                                            DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

                                                              PATHOLOGY

                                                              • General Features

                                                                • Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features

                                                                  CLINICAL ISSUES

                                                                  • Presentation

                                                                    • Demographics

                                                                      • Natural History & Prognosis

                                                                        • Treatment

                                                                          DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST

                                                                          • Consider

                                                                            • Image Interpretation Pearls

                                                                              Selected References

                                                                              1. Yildirim A et al: An unusual case of heterotaxy and polysplenia syndrome associated with hemiazygous continuation of the left-sided vena cava inferior, dilated azygous vein and large venous ectasia. Congenit Heart Dis. 6(3):262-5, 2011
                                                                              2. Mamidipally S et al: Azygous continuation of inferior vena cava. J Am Coll Cardiol. 56(21):e41, 2010
                                                                              3. Morita S et al: Pelvic venous variations in patients with congenital inferior vena cava anomalies: classification with computed tomography. Acta Radiol. 48(9):974-9, 2007
                                                                              4. Bartram U et al: Heterotaxy syndrome -- asplenia and polysplenia as indicators of visceral malposition and complex congenital heart disease. Biol Neonate. 88(4):278-90, 2005
                                                                              5. Demos TC et al: Venous anomalies of the thorax. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 182(5):1139-50, 2004
                                                                              6. Plata-Muñoz JJ et al: Polysplenia syndrome in the adult patient. Case report with review of the literature. Ann Hepatol. 3(3):114-7, 2004
                                                                              7. Yilmaz E et al: Interruption of the inferior vena cava with azygos/hemiazygos continuation accompanied by distinct renal vein anomalies: MRA and CT assessment. Abdom Imaging. 28(3):392-4, 2003
                                                                              8. Bass JE et al: Spectrum of congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava: cross-sectional imaging findings. Radiographics. 20(3):639-52, 2000
                                                                              9. Applegate KE et al: Situs revisited: imaging of the heterotaxy syndrome. Radiographics. 19(4):837-52; discussion 853-4, 1999
                                                                              10. Gayer G et al: Polysplenia syndrome detected in adulthood: report of eight cases and review of the literature. Abdom Imaging. 24(2):178-84, 1999
                                                                              11. Jelinek JS et al: MRI of polysplenia syndrome. Magn Reson Imaging. 7(6):681-6, 1989
                                                                              12. Munechika H et al: Hemiazygos continuation of a left inferior vena cava: CT appearance. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 12(2):328-30, 1988
                                                                              13. Cohen MI et al: Accessory hemiazygos continuation of left inferior vena cava: CT demonstration. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 8(4):777-9, 1984
                                                                              14. Schultz CL et al: Azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava: demonstration by NMR imaging. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 8(4):774-6, 1984
                                                                              15. Siegfried MS et al: Diagnosis of inferior vena cava anomalies by computerized tomography. Comput Radiol. 7(2):119-23, 1983
                                                                              16. Allen HA et al: Case report. Left-sided inferior vena cava with hemiazygos continuation. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 5(6):917-20, 1981
                                                                              17. Ginaldi S et al: Absence of hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava with azygous continuation. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 4(1):112-4, 1980
                                                                              18. O'Reilly RJ et al: The lateral chest film as an unreliable indicator of azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava. Circulation. 53(5):891-5, 1976