AN ANEURYSM OF THE AZYGOS VEIN

The following is a case report of a large aneurysm probably arising from the azygos vein. A 43-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of dorsalgia. After examinations including plain film of X-ray, ultrasonography, computed sonography, and magnetic resonance imaging, thoracotomy was performed under a diagnosis of suspected neurinoma in the posterior mediastinal space. There was a cystic tumor behind the azygos vein, that was 50×39×30mm in size without pulsation and the content was conjectured fresh clot. The cyst with the azygos vein was excised because of severe adhesion between them. Postoperative course was uneventfull. Microscopically the wall of the aneurysmal portion showed three layers of the venous structure. Postoperative course is uneventfull.