Interrupted inferior vena cava: high-risk anatomy for right thoracotomy

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2011 May;12(5):850-2. doi: 10.1510/icvts.2010.258731. Epub 2011 Jan 10.

Abstract

Interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare developmental defect characterised by azygos continuation following failure of fusion of one or more of the component parts of the embryological IVC and occurring in approximately one in 5000 of the general population. It is usually an isolated finding and generally asymptomatic. We present a case of non-small cell lung cancer requiring right pneumonectomy in a patient with an interrupted IVC with azygos continuation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Azygos Vein / abnormalities*
  • Azygos Vein / diagnostic imaging
  • Azygos Vein / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / complications
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / surgery*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Phlebography / methods
  • Pneumonectomy / adverse effects*
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Risk Factors
  • Thoracotomy / adverse effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Malformations / complications*
  • Vascular Malformations / diagnostic imaging
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / abnormalities*
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / diagnostic imaging