The azygous arch: normal and pathologic CT appearance
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), Vol. 139:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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