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Updated: Jul 31, 2025

Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava
Published on: January 13, 2023
Missing Inferior Vena Cava on POCUS: A Case of Left-Sided IVC with Azygos Continuation
Ankit Mehta1,2, Kreegan Reierson2,1, Benji Mathews2,1
1Department of Internal Medicine, HealthPartners St. Paul, MN USA.
Abstract:
The merits of utilizing point of care ultrasound (POCUS) in acutely ill patients is leading to a widespread embrace. Assessment of IVC via POCUS as part of a comprehensive multi-organ approach can help guide volume tolerance. Anatomical/developmental variations of IVC can vary widely in prevalence. As the use of POCUS expands as a diagnostic modality, it is prudent for frontline POCUS users to be cognizant of the IVC anomalies. We present a case of left sided IVC with azygous continuation discovered with POCUS that was performed to assess the volume status of the patient. This case illustrates that the awareness of different anomalies of the IVC is necessary for POCUS users to prevent misinterpretation of aberrant vessels and avoid diagnostic pitfalls.
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