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The azygos lobe, an incidental finding in computer tomography
Affiliations- Department of Anatomy, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
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Abstract
The azygos lobe is an anatomical variant of the upper lobe, which occurs most often in the right lung. Atypical course of the azygos vein is formed during embryogenesis, while the precursor of this vein migrates through the lung and creates the azygos fissure. Despite its rare occurrence, this variation is well described. This article presents a case of 62-year-old male with the azygos lobe, which was found accidentally in the computer tomography. The knowledge about the azygos vein is significant for surgeons, because it might reduce iatrogenic damage and help them avoid unexpected bleeding during thoracic surgery. The azygos vein might be confused with pathological conditions. It might also be associated with lung cancers, pneumothorax and congenital abnormalities. Despite the fact that the azygos lobe is well known variant, dissemination of knowledge about it is still inadequate.
Abstract
The azygos lobe is an anatomical variant of the upper lobe, which occurs most often in the right lung. Atypical course of the azygos vein is formed during embryogenesis, while the precursor of this vein migrates through the lung and creates the azygos fissure. Despite its rare occurrence, this variation is well described. This article presents a case of 62-year-old male with the azygos lobe, which was found accidentally in the computer tomography. The knowledge about the azygos vein is significant for surgeons, because it might reduce iatrogenic damage and help them avoid unexpected bleeding during thoracic surgery. The azygos vein might be confused with pathological conditions. It might also be associated with lung cancers, pneumothorax and congenital abnormalities. Despite the fact that the azygos lobe is well known variant, dissemination of knowledge about it is still inadequate.
Keywords
azygos lobe, azygos fissure, azygos vein, anatomical variation
About this articleTitle
The azygos lobe, an incidental finding in computer tomography
Journal
Issue
Article type
Case report
Published online
2023-05-05
Page views
422
Article views/downloads
299
DOI
Pubmed
Keywords
azygos lobe
azygos fissure
azygos vein
anatomical variation
Authors
Ewa Toruńska
Łukasz Klepacki
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