TY - JOUR
T1 - The normal and abnormal left superior intercostal vein
AU - Friedman, A. C.
AU - Chambers, E.
AU - Sprayregen, S.
PY - 1978
Y1 - 1978
N2 - A study of 500 normal erect posteroanterior chest radiographs was undertaken to determine the incidence or visualization and size of the left superior intercostal vein in normal individuals. The vein produces a small 'nipple' lateral to the aortic knob on 1.4% of normal erect posteroanterior chest films; its diameter can be up to 4.5 mm in normal patients. Dilatation of the vein beyond 4.5 mm is a useful sign of a circulatory abnormality warranting further study. Dilatation may be due to absence of the inferior vena cava, hypoplasia of the left innominate vein, congestive failure, portal hypertension, Budd-Chiari syndrome, or superior or inferior vena caval obstruction. The differential diagnosis of an enlarged left superior intercostal vein includes mediastinal mass, especially lymphadenopathy, and aneurysm of the arch of the aorta.
AB - A study of 500 normal erect posteroanterior chest radiographs was undertaken to determine the incidence or visualization and size of the left superior intercostal vein in normal individuals. The vein produces a small 'nipple' lateral to the aortic knob on 1.4% of normal erect posteroanterior chest films; its diameter can be up to 4.5 mm in normal patients. Dilatation of the vein beyond 4.5 mm is a useful sign of a circulatory abnormality warranting further study. Dilatation may be due to absence of the inferior vena cava, hypoplasia of the left innominate vein, congestive failure, portal hypertension, Budd-Chiari syndrome, or superior or inferior vena caval obstruction. The differential diagnosis of an enlarged left superior intercostal vein includes mediastinal mass, especially lymphadenopathy, and aneurysm of the arch of the aorta.
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U2 - 10.2214/ajr.131.4.599
DO - 10.2214/ajr.131.4.599
M3 - Article
C2 - 102147
AN - SCOPUS:0017886595
SN - 0361-803X
VL - 131
SP - 599
EP - 602
JO - American Journal of Roentgenology
JF - American Journal of Roentgenology
IS - 4
ER -