The azygos lobe with onset in the context of aspiration of a foreign body in the airways in a child

Abstract

The azygos lobe is a rare anatomical anomaly, occurring in 0.2-1.2% of the population, formed during fetal development due to the abnormal trajectory of the vein. It is located at the apex or the border of the upper lobe on the right side of the hemithorax. Its prevalence varies depending on the diagnostic method: from 0.4% on chest X-rays to up to 1.2% on high-resolution pulmonary computed tomography (CT). The azygos vein lobe can mimic various pathological conditions, potentially leading to diagnostic errors and inappropriate treatments. In the absence of complications, the azygos lobe does not require specific treatment. Management focuses on microbiologically guided treatment of infections and supportive therapy in mild cases.This paper presents the clinical case of a child with an azygos vein lobe, clinically manifested in the context of foreign body aspiration in the airways.