The azygous arch: normal and pathologic CT appearance

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.139.3.477· OSTI ID:6710232

Smathers, R L; Buschi, A J; Pope, Jr, T L; Brenbridge, A N; Williamson, B R

The arch of the azygous vein, a commonly identified anatomic landmark on contrast-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) scans of the chest, forms the lateral boundary of the pretracheal-retrocaval space and, with its pleural reflections, demarcates the mediastinum from the right lung. Normal variations, congenital anomalies, vascular lesions, adenopathy, neoplasm, and mediastinitis alter the position, size contour, and flow patterns of the azygous venous arch. Mass lesions may displace the arch laterally when they arise from the mediastinum or medially when they arise from the right lung. Malignancies, either primary or secondary, can invade, obstruct, or obliterate it. Abnormal flow patterns can be identified due to caval obstruction or pericardial disease. Awareness of the variability of the CT appearance of the azygous arch and its alteration by disease increases the utility of CT in the analysis of mediastinal and pulmonary pathology.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville
• OSTI ID: 6710232
• Journal Information: AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States), Journal Name: AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States) Vol. 139:3; ISSN AAJRD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BLOOD FLOW
BLOOD VESSELS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CHEST
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
NEOPLASMS
ORGANS
PATHOLOGY
PATIENTS
TOMOGRAPHY
VEINS