Collateral pathways in thoracic central venous obstruction: three-dimensional display using direct spiral computed tomography venography.

We illustrate the spectrum of venous collateral pathways caused by the thoracic central venous obstruction with direct spiral computed tomography (CT) venography and 3-dimensional reconstruction images. Venous structures that can be demonstrated with CT venography include the jugular veins; the subclavian and brachiocephalic (innominate) veins; the internal and lateral thoracic veins; the superior and inferior venae cavae; the pericardiophrenic veins; the azygos, hemiazygos, and accessory hemiazygos veins; and the intercostal veins.