title: Interrupted inferior vena cava: high-risk anatomy for right thoracotomy.
abstract: Interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare developmental defect characterised by azygos continuation following failure of fusion of one or more of the component parts of the embryological IVC and occurring in approximately one in 5000 of the general population. It is usually an isolated finding and generally asymptomatic. We present a case of non-small cell lung cancer requiring right pneumonectomy in a patient with an interrupted IVC with azygos continuation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hardwick
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Belcher
authors.forename: Tarun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sabharwal
authors.forename: Juliet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001401:Azygos Vein / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012307:Risk Factors; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054079:Vascular Malformations / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging