Anomalous unilateral single pulmonary vein mimicking partial anomalous pulmonary venous return

Abstract

We report a case in which the clinical findings of a partial anomalous pulmonary venous return were present but with termination of the anomalous pulmonary vein into the left atrium. There was hypoplasia of the right lung, dextroposition of the heart, and a loop-like vascular density in the right lung field. Cardiac catheterization revealed no shunt, and on pulmonary angiograms, a large common right pulmonary vein draining the entire right lung and entering the left atrium by way of a single orifice. Possible embryologic explanations include atresia of the right inferior pulmonary vein and persistence of the ipsilateral superior pulmonary vein.

Congenital Anomalies of Thoracic Systemic and Pulmonary Veins Visualized with Computed Tomography

“…Single pulmonary veins are a rare anomaly. Rey et al (1986) reported group of patients with anomalous unilateral single pulmonary vein, which most frequently occurred on the right side, as in presented case (Figure 19). Bilateral single pulmonary veins are rarely reported, e.g.…”

Anomalous Unilateral Single Pulmonary Vein Mimicking Pulmonary Nodules on HRCT of the Lungs and Scimitar Syndrome on Chest Radiograph: Multidetector CT Findings

“…As in our case, AUSPV can occur with hypoplasia of the ipsilateral lung. 2,3 Isolated AUSPV is usually an asymptomatic anomaly. 6 In the first report of the anomaly in two children presenting with recurrent pulmonary infections, symptoms were attributed to pressure effect of the abnormal vein on the middle lobe bronchus.…”

“…Other abnormalities that might be mistaken for this anomaly are pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, 6,7 pulmonary vein varices, 1 and scimitar syndrome. 3,8 Mistakenly, we considered it as scimitar syndrome on the chest radiograph because of reduction in volume of the right lung associated with indistinct mediastinal border and a vertical tubular structure in midportion of the right lung. The classic definition of the scimitar syndrome is a combination of hypoplastic right lung with anomalous venous return (usually as a tubular structure in the right paracardiac area) and systemic arterial supply to the lung.…”

“…By 30 to 32 days, most connections between the pulmonary-systemic veins disappear after communication is established between the left atrium and the pulmonary veins. 3,9 Congenital anomalies of the pulmonary veins have been classified as abnormal venous drainage without abnormal course in the lung (such as in anomalous drainage of the left superior pulmonary vein into the left brachiocephalic vein), abnormal course with normal drainage (as in pseudo-scimitar syndrome), and abnormal venous drainage with abnormal course (scimitar syndrome). 10 On the basis of this classification, AUSPV belongs to the group of normal venous drainage with abnormal route in the lung.…”

“…As few as 20 cases have been reported in the literature, most of them initially misinterpreted as other abnormalities. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Imaging findings including multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) examination and differential diagnoses are discussed.…”