Presentation
Incidental finding.
Patient Data
The inferior vena cava continues as the azygos vein, coursing along the right paravertebral region at the posterior mediastinum until joining superior vena cava (SVC) at the normal location in the right paratracheal space.
The hepatic segment of the IVC is absent and the hepatic veins join and drain directly into the right atrium.
There is associated retroaortic left renal vein.
Azygos continuation of IVC with a retroaortic left renal vein.
Case Discussion
This case represents azygos continuation of the IVC. In most patients, this occurs as an isolated abnormality. In this case, there is an associated retroaortic left renal vein. Interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC) with azygos continuation occurs when there is failure of formation of the right subcardinal-hepatic anastomosis resulting in atrophy of the subcardinal vein. This results in congenital absence of the hepatic-suprarenal segment of the IVC. The infrarenal IVC continues superiorly as a dilated azygos vein.
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