Hemiazygous vein thrombosis as a cause of unexplained left-sited pleural effusion. A new syndrome?
In seven cases with pleural effusion transosseal azygography has been performed, in order to specify any cause for the fluid accumulation that could be related to the azygous system. In 4 cases azygography appeared normal and further laboratory work-up revealed collagen disease, heart failure and lung cancer. In the remaining 3 cases (2 with recent myocardial infarction and 1 with unstable angina) azygography discerned thrombosis of the hemiazygous vein. It is suggested that in cases with an otherwise unexplained left-sited thoracic transudate a thrombosis of the hemiazygous vein may be visualized by transosseal azygography.
D000368:Aged; D001401:Azygos Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging