[CT diagnosis of inferior vena cava anomalies. The azygos continuation]

Abstract

The azygos continuation is a rare variation of the inferior vena cava (IVC), usually associated with cardiac anomalies. We report CT in two female patients with no cardiac disease. One had no further visceral abnormalities, while the other had polysplenia agenesis of the left lobe and a hypertrophic right lobe of the liver. This complex of anomalies has been demonstrated for the first time by imaging. Our cases show the variation of anomalies associated with azygos continuation. When planning therapeutic procedures (for example cava filtration) these anomalies are relevant. CT is sufficient for their demonstration and in most cases there is no need for confirmation by invasive methods.