58 - Azygos Accessory Lobe in a Female Donor: Case Report

Poster Board Number: 58
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Odd poster #s – first hour
Even poster #s – second hour

Co-authors:

Thea Wilkens-Reed - Medical Student, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine; Angelica Alexopoulos - Medical Student, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine; Rahul Shamarayar - Medical Student, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine; Dhuha Al-Rasool - Medical Student, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine; Raymond Wong - Medical Student, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine; Malli Barremkala, MBBS - Associate Professor, Deptartment of Foundational Medical Studies, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

Abstract Body : Introduction and Objective:



The azygos lobe is a unique anatomical feature found in a small subset of individuals on the upper lobe of the right lung. It results from the aberrant migration of the posterior cardinal vein during development. This manifests as a fissure formed around the azygos vein, demarcating a distinct bronchopulmonary segment in the right upper lobe. However, the azygos lobe is not recognized as a true lobe due to the lack of an independent bronchus and blood supply. It is a relatively rare anomaly, with a prevalence between 0.4%-1.2%, with a higher occurrence (5.2%) in individuals with congenital pulmonary defects. The azygos lobe exhibits a higher prevalence in males with a greater incidence in the North American population.



Materials and Methods:



Routine dissections were performed on 26 donors in the gross anatomy laboratory of Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. Out of this cohort, one 75-year-old female donor (3.84%) was noted to have an azygos lobe.



Results:



This azygos lobe was present as a part of the right lung, separated from the rest of the lung tissue by the azygos vein. The azygos lobe, unlike the rest of the lung tissue, was found encased in its own pleura.



Significance/Implication:



While most cases of azygos lobe are clinically asymptomatic, they are often discovered incidentally in conditions such as tumors and pneumothoraces. Therefore, understanding this variation is crucial for accurate radiological assessment and surgical interventions. Radiologically, the azygos lobe may be confused for pathologies such as masses or abscesses. Surgical complications related to this variant involve rupture and thrombosis within the lobe. Understanding this lobe can prevent iatrogenic injury of the azygos vein during surgery.