Asymptomatic Congenital Atresia of the Left Inferior Pulmonary Vein: A Case Report

Abstract

We present an unusual fortuitously discovered case of atresia of the left inferior pulmonary vein with drainage via anastomosis to the left upper pulmonary vein and the left atrium. Atresia of the pulmonary veins is a very rare anomaly that results from defective incorporation of the pulmonary venous system into the left atrium. The initial diagnosis, drawn from plain radiographs, was confirmed by cardiac catheterization and pulmonary angiography. The appearance of clinical signs, prognosis, and the need for treatment depend on how well substitute drainage is performed.

Unilateral pulmonary vein atresia: Literature overview and case report

“…The noninvasive diagnosis of unilateral pulmonary vein atresia can be performed by CT angiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or bronchoscopy [ 10 , 11 ]. Similar to cardiac MRI, chest CT can provide precise morphological information regarding the structures of the heart and extracardiac vasculature [ 9 , 12 , 13 ]. In our case, conventional cardiac MRI and angiography were not performed because both venous and arterial abnormalities were clearly visible on 64-slice CT [ 4 , 14 ].…”

“…Standard chest X-ray reveals a small lung, raised ipsilateral diaphragm, and reticular opacity. Contrast-enhanced multislice CT should be indicated to confirm the absence of pulmonary veins, especially on MPR and VRT series [12] . A small unilateral lung, thickened interlobular septum due to venous stasis, small ipsilateral pulmonary artery, and signs of ipsilateral pulmonary vein absence are imaging features that can help confirm the diagnosis.…”