CTICasesContrast Retention behind Azygos Vein Valves
Imaging findings
Chest CT shows small dense foci of contrast layering and pooling behind the valves in the azygos vein arch. This occurs during high-rate contrast injections where contrast refluxes into the azygos system and gets trapped behind the valves.
Key takeaways
Pooling of contrast material behind the valves of the azygos arch is a benign vascular variant/pitfall seen on contrast-enhanced CT. It is more prominent when contrast refluxes due to high injection rates or in the setting of superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction.
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