Isolated unilateral absence of the right pulmo nary artery.

B S Smet,F Feyaerts,D Dewilde,F Cottenie,A De Backer

doi:10.5334/jbr-btr.690

Abstract

A 40-year-old man was referred for evaluation of cough of a few weeks duration and a history of recurrent respiratory tract infections for several years. Clinical examination revealed no abnormalities. Routine hematologic and biochemical evaluation were normal. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the thorax showed a hypoplastic right lung, hyperinflation of the left lung with cardiomediastinal shift to the right. Absence of the right pulmonary artery was noted and replaced by an extensive collateral network of hypertrophied vessels originating from bronchial, intercostal and mammaria interna arteries, and right arteria subclavia (Fig. A, B). Discrete bronchiectasis with thickened bronchial walls in a hypoplastic right lung was noted (Fig. C). A normal bronchial tree and normal parenchyma in the left lung was seen.

Highlights

A computed tomography of the thorax showed a hypoplastic right lung, hyperinflation of the left lung with cardiomediastinal shift to the right
Unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery (UAPA) is caused by a congenital anomaly due to failure in the connection of the sixth aortic arch and the pulmonary trunk
Is usually associated with other vascular abnormalities such as tetralogy of Fallot, right aortic arch, septal defects and patent ductus arteriosus and, as a consequence, diagnosis is made in early childhood

Summary

Introduction

A computed tomography of the thorax showed a hypoplastic right lung, hyperinflation of the left lung with cardiomediastinal shift to the right. Computed tomography of the thorax showed a hypoplastic right lung, hyperinflation of the left lung with cardiomediastinal shift to the right. Absence of the right pulmonary artery was noted and replaced by an extensive collateral network of hypertrophied vessels originating from bronchial, intercostal and mammaria interna arteries, and right arteria subclavia (Fig. A, B). Discrete bronchiectasis with thickened bronchial walls in a hypoplastic right lung was noted (Fig. C).

Results

Conclusion