An Unusual Benign Cause of an Alarming Finding on Chest-X ray: A Case Report of Widened Mediastinum due to Rare Congenital Abnormality (Azygos Vein Continuation of Inferior Vena Cava)

Authors

Michael Hanna
Ghada Elshimy
Medhat Ismail
Mourad Ismail, New York Medical CollegeFollow

DOI

10.1155/2019/3457495

Journal Title

Case Reports in Critical Care

First Page

3457495

Last Page

3457495

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

12-1-2019

Department

Medicine

Abstract

Acute widened mediastinum is an alarming finding. It has many possible differential diagnoses; aortic dissection (AD) is considered one that carries catastrophic outcomes. AD is relatively uncommon; it requires early and accurate diagnosis and treatment for better patient survival. However, acute mediastinal widening also can be present in more benign conditions. We report a case of a 50-year-old African American female with postoperative shortness of breath; initial imaging studies revealed an acute widened mediastinum, but on further management with diuresis and follow-up imaging, she was diagnosed with azygous vein continuation of the Inferior vena cava (IVC). This is considered as a rare benign cause of wide mediastinum. Clinicians must be aware of the presence of such a benign cause when dealing with acute wide mediastinum.

Recommended Citation

Hanna, M., Elshimy, G., Ismail, M., & Ismail, M. (2019). An Unusual Benign Cause of an Alarming Finding on Chest-X ray: A Case Report of Widened Mediastinum due to Rare Congenital Abnormality (Azygos Vein Continuation of Inferior Vena Cava). Case Reports in Critical Care, 2019, 3457495-3457495. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/3457495