Anomalous left brachiocephalic vein: spiral CT and angiographic findings.
OBJECTIVE
To alert the radiologist to CT findings that suggest the correct diagnosis of anomalous left brachiocephalic vein.


METHODS
The authors report two cases of anomalous left brachiocephalic vein diagnosed by spiral CT and CT angiography.


RESULTS
Spiral CT accurately depicted an anomalous left brachiocephalic vein, which ran between the ascending aorta and the trachea within the mediastinum to reach the right superior vena cava just below the entrance of the azygos vein.


CONCLUSIONS
Spiral CT combined with CT angiography is a very useful and minimally invasive technique in the diagnosis of this anomalous vein.
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Chinju, Korea.
H J
HJ
Kim
H S
HS
Kim
G
G
Lee
D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D001027:Aortography; D001401:Azygos Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016121:Brachiocephalic Veins / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography; D013350:Subclavian Vein / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging