Unilateral pulmonary vein atresia: diagnostic dilemma unfolded on imaging

Abstract

Unilateral pulmonary vein atresia is a rare entity, usually congenital in origin. It is thought to result from failure of incorporation of common pulmonary vein to left atrium. Patients often present with recurrent chest infections and haemoptysis during infancy or early childhood. Associated anomalies are commonly present in these cases. Pulmonary angiography is generally used for definitive diagnosis; however, characteristic imaging findings on latest multislice CT can be virtually diagnostic.

Keywords: cardiovascular medicine; interventional cardiology.