A Pediatric Radiology Textbook and Pediatric Radiology Digital Library
Pediatric Azygos Continuation of the Inferior Vena Cava
Etiology: Congenital — Post-hepatic segment of inferior vena cava is present draining only hepatic veins into right atrium — There is an interruption of infrahepatic and suprarenal inferior vena cava — The renal segment of inferior vena cava drains via azygos vein into superior vena cava
Imaging: Absence of the hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava with azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava
DDX:
Complications:
Treatment:
Clinical:
Radiology Cases of Azygos Continuation of the Inferior Vena Cava
Coronal CT with contrast of the abdomen (below) shows interruption of the infrahepatic inferior vena cava which then communicates with the hemiazygos vein to the left of the spine which then via dilated azygos and hemiazygos venous collaterals alongside the vertebral body on the axial CT (above) ultimately drain into the superior vena cava.
Radiology Cases of Azygos Continuation of the Inferior Vena Cava in Heterotaxy Syndrome With Left Atrial Isomerism
Contiguous axial CT with contrast of the abdomen show a dilated azygous vein to the right of the aorta (above left, above right, below left). The liver is on the left side of the abdomen and the spleen is on the right side of the abdomen (below right).
