Abstract
BackgroundWith the popularization of thoracoscopic surgery, more and more macrovascular malformations have been reported. Understanding some vascular malformations with relatively fixed anatomical site and their range of drainage could avoid severe complications during the surgery. Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a common thoracic vascular malformation, and is always combined with other cardiovascular dysplasia. As for the patient with upper left lung cancer in this case, he had PLSVC and left azygos vein, and non-metastatic enlargement of the lymph nodes at the same time, which had influenced the decisions on surgery and treatment. We made a summary of experience regarding this.Case presentationA 46-years-old male patient, his CT found a space-occupying lesion in the superior lobe of the left lung. The chest CT showed that the patient had PLSVC and left azygos vein, and multiple enlarged lymph nodes in the mediastinum. The patient received thoracoscopic upper left lung lobectomy and lymph node dissection. It was discovered that the left azygos vein had a concealed form, which influenced the lymph node dissection. The post-surgery pathology showed that there was squamous cell carcinoma in the upper left lung (pT2bN0M0 p Phase IIA) and no cancer metastasis with the lymph nodes. The patient had a good post-surgery recovery.ConclusionsPLSVC is not rare, and is always combined with other vascular malformations. If discovering PLSVC before surgery, we suggest completing chest enhanced CT and vascular reconstruction, to find out other cardiovascular malformations that may exist. Left azygos vein is a rare vascular malformation, but it has a relatively fixed anatomical site, and always co-exists with PLSVC, therefore, understanding anatomy of left azygos vein is good for preventing accidental damage. Especially when performing surgery above the left pulmonary artery trunk, attention shall be paid to preventing damage to the left azygos vein. In addition, as for the patient with the diagnosis of lung cancer before surgery, it is not reliable to judge whether there is metastasis or not merely according to the size of the lymph nodes, instead, PET-CT or needle biopsy is recommended.
Highlights
With the popularization of thoracoscopic surgery, more and more macrovascular malformations have been reported
If discovering Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) before surgery, we suggest completing chest enhanced CT and vascular reconstruction, to find out other cardiovascular malformations that may exist
Left azygos vein is a rare vascular malformation, but it has a relatively fixed anatomical site, and always co-exists with PLSVC, understanding anatomy of left azygos vein is good for preventing accidental damage
Summary
PLSVC is not rare, and is always combined with other vascular malformations. If discovering PLSVC before surgery, we suggest completing chest enhanced CT and vascular reconstruction, to find out other cardiovascular malformations that may exist. Left azygos vein is a rare vascular malformation, but it has a relatively fixed anatomical site, and always co-exists with PLSVC, understanding anatomy of left azygos vein is good for preventing accidental damage. When performing surgery above the left pulmonary artery trunk, attention shall be paid to preventing damage to the left azygos vein. As for the patient with the diagnosis of lung cancer before surgery, it is not reliable to judge whether there is metastasis or not merely according to the size of the lymph nodes, instead, PET-CT or needle biopsy is recommended. Tang et al Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery (2020) 15:254 summarized some previous experience regarding such vascular malformations
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
