J Korean Soc Radiol.  2010 Mar;62(3):207-210. 10.3348/jksr.2010.62.3.207.

Circumaortic Left Brachiocephalic Vein: CT Findings

• Shim MS
• Kang MJ
• Kim JH
• Cho WH
• Kim SH
• Kim JY
• Kim SH
• Jun WS
• Cho HS

• KMID: 2208914
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2010.62.3.207

Abstract

The left brachiocephalic vein usually passes superior and anterior to the aortic arch. In rare cases, this vein follows an anomalous course; for example, a circumaortic left brachiocephalic vein. We present the case of a circumaortic left brachiocephalic vein in a 53-year-old male with lung cancer. A multidetector CT showed that the two branches of the left brachiocephalic vein circumscribed the aortic arch. The anterior branch was above and the posterior branch was below the aortic arch. Both branches drained into the superior vena cava.

MeSH Terms

Aorta, Thoracic
Brachiocephalic Veins
Humans
Lung Neoplasms
Male
Middle Aged
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Veins
Vena Cava, Superior

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 A. Axial, B. coronal maximum intensity projection images show a circumaortic left brachiocephalic vein. A circumaortic left brachiocephalic vein divides into the anterior branch (arrowhead) and posterior branch (arrow) at the level of aortic arch. Finally, each branch drains into the superior vena cava (S). Note the lung cancer in the right upper lobe (M). C. Anterior, D. posterior oblique coronal volume-rendered images show the anterior branch (arrowhead) and the posterior branch (arrow) of thecircumaortic left brachiocephalic vein. The anterior branch (arrowhead) courses anterior to the left common carotid artery and brachiocephalic artery, and then drains into the superior vena cava. The posterior branch (arrow) courses posterior to the ascending aorta, before draining into the superior vena cava.

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  Fig. 2 Non-enhancement CT scan shows that the posterior branch (arrow) mimics an enlarged lymph node.

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