INTRODUCTION

Variations of the venous system enable clinicians to distinguish features that merit further investigations or treatment from those that do not.1 So, each encounter of a practitioner with the anatomical variations should contribute to broaden his or her experiences that assist in the recognition of these boundaries.2 The variations of the azygos venous system are common. The hemiazygos is more variable than the azygos vein, but the accessory hemiazygos vein (AHV) most variably drains in the brachiocephalic, azygos, or HAV.3 These deviations in the patterns are due to complex embryological development.4 The azygos system of veins arises from a pair of longitudinal venous lines called right and left azygos venous lines on each side of the aorta. On each side of the azygos venous lines lies two parallel primitive venous lines called the right and left subcardinal and posterior cardinal veins. The right azygos venous line develops into the vertical part of the azygos vein. The arch of azygos is contributed partially by persistent cephalic part of right posterior cardinal vein. caudal part of the left azygos line. Due to the development of an oblique communication between the right and the left anterior cardinal veins, the distal part of the left anterior cardinal vein, the cranial part of the left anterior cardinal vein, and the left common cardinal vein regress greatly.5 The left azygos line gives rise to AHV above and drains the 4th to 6th left posterior intercostal veins. The lower part gives rise to HAV draining 7th to 11th left posterior intercostal veins.6 The coexistence of the anomalies of the heart, spleen, and superior vena cava is reported to be associated with the variations of the azygos venous system, especially if associated with the azygos vein continuous with the inferior vena cava.7,8

CASE REPORT

During exposure of the posterior mediastinum a prominent AHZ vein was seen lying on the left side parallel to aorta. On further dissection, this channel was about 17 cm in length. It drained the 1st to 10th left posterior intercostal veins and drained itself vertically into the left brachiocephalic vein (LBV) (Fig. 1). The azygos vein, superior vena cava, and inferior vena cava were normal. There was no communication between this channel and azygos vein. The HAV was less developed and drained immediately into the azygos vein after its formation. The cardiovascular system and the respiratory system showed no gross anomaly.

Fig. 1

Accessory hemiazygos vein draining upper 10 left posterior intercostal veins and opening into LBV. Hemiazygos vein draining into azygos vein. A = Arch of aorta

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DISCUSSION

The complex embryological development causes many possible variations in the form of agenesis of one part and development of the other part, leading to redistribution of area of drainage of azygos, hemiazygos, and AHV.9 The present variation was also recorded by Muhm et al10 and Mahato,11 where the AHV instead of draining into the azygos vein drained into the LBV after joining the left superior intercostal vein. A complete reverse case was noted by Ozbek et al.5 The present variation can be explained on the basis of variation in the development of left azygos vein on the left side. The left superior intercostal vein ends in this long channel, and this channel drained into LBV. Embryologically, this could be explained by the persistence of the cranial part of the azygos line on the left and the oblique communication represented by the LBV. The present long channel represented the AHV with an added cranial extension into the remaining and persistent cephalic part of the left posterior cardinal vein.9 In the absence of the HAV, the left superior intercostal vein formed the terminal conduit for the entire upper left posterior thorax for its venous drainage.12 It is important to interpret these variations while making diagnosis and to avoid complications during mediastinal procedures.13 Also, the confusion can be avoided in diagnosing these structures after detection in magnetic resonance imaging scans.14

CONCLUSION

The present variation is clinically important because of the position of long channel close to the left of the aortic arch. It can present radiologically as a small mass or nipple adjacent to the lateral or superior aspect of the arch seen best on supine anteroposterior mediastinal tomograms. This physiologically normal venous shadow should not be confused with lymphadenopathy or small tumor.

Conflicts of interest

Source of support: Nil

Conflict of interest: None