CTICasesEscaped Azygos Vein
Imaging findings
Chest CT scans demonstrate the presence of an azygos fissure and an empty mesoazygos membrane. The azygos vein is visualized out of its expected position within the fissure, instead hanging freely in the pleural space or hugging the mediastinum. This displacement is demonstrated in patients following traumatic pneumothorax or post-lobectomy volume loss.
Key takeaways
An escaped azygos vein occurs when the azygos vein slips out of its congenital azygos fissure, typically due to pleural pressure changes from a pneumothorax or surgical lobectomy. Recognizing that the vein can migrate back to the mediastinum or hang freely in the pleural space helps avoid misinterpreting this benign post-procedural or post-traumatic finding as a new pleural nodule or mediastinal mass.
AI-assisted summary — may contain errors. Verify against the source video. Learn more
More from this webinar
- Accessory Left Brachiocephalic VeinCongenital
- Pulmonary BlastomycosisInfection
- Pleural BlastomycosisInfection
- Esophageal Traction Diverticulum Secondary to HistoplasmosisInfection
- Peritoneal SplenosisTrauma
- Metastatic Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor in Neurofibromatosis Type 1Neoplastic
- Cavitary Pulmonary Metastases from Thymic CarcinomaNeoplastic
- Accessory Azygos FissureCongenital
See all cases from December 23, 2016 →
Related Artifact cases
- CPR Feedback Device
- Aspirated/Swallowed Dentures
- Transient Thymic Calcification
- Pulmonary Artery Pseudo-Thrombus due to Bronchial Artery Inflow / Flow-Related Artifact
- Aortic Pseudo-Dissection Artifact from Pneumomediastinum and Cardiac Pulsation
- Complete Left Upper Lobe Atelectasis Due to Endobronchial Valves for Emphysema