Interrupted inferior vena cava: high-risk anatomy for right thoracotomy

Interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare developmental defect characterised by azygos continuation following failure of fusion of one or more of the component parts of the embryological IVC and occurring in approximately one in 5000 of the general population. It is usually an isolated finding and generally asymptomatic. We present a case of non-small cell lung cancer requiring right pneumonectomy in a patient with an interrupted IVC with azygos continuation.