Learning objectives
To review and illustrate the pulmonary vascular anatomy.
To describe and illustrate the radiologic manifestations of pulmonary artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms.
To overview the different aetiologies of pulmonary artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms.
Background
Pulmonary artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms are rare entities in the spectrum of pulmonary arterial diseases.
While their incidence is low, they represent potentially life-threatening conditions and can present a challenge for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
The aetiology of these aneurysms is varied, and patients usually present with non-specific symptoms which make their diagnosis both difficult and less often considered.
Findings and procedure details
Pulmonary vascular anatomy:
The main pulmonary artery arises from the right ventricular outflow tract and courses posteriorly and superiorly to the left of and posterior to the aorta.
Below the aortic arch, it bifurcates into right and left main pulmonary arteries at the level of the carina. The right and left pulmonary arteries divide into 2 lobar branches each, and subsequently into segmental and sub segmental branches.
Segmental and sub segmental pulmonary arteries generally parallel segmental and sub segmental bronchi and are named according to...
Conclusion
Rapid diagnosis of pulmonary artery aneurisms and pseudoaneurysms and its careful management should be considered because of the possibility of fatal complications.
Classification by aetiology is essential for the choice of treatment.
Personal information and conflict of interest
i. souissi:
Nothing to disclose
A. Jemli:
Nothing to disclose
A. Ben fatma:
Nothing to disclose
S. Marouen:
Nothing to disclose
S. Jerbi:
Nothing to disclose
References
Kandathil A, Chamarthy M. Pulmonary vascular anatomy & anatomical variants. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther 2018;8(3):201-207. doi: 10.21037/cdt.2018.01.04
Kastler B, Livolsi A, Germain P, Bernard Y, Michalakis D, Rodier et al. Value of MRI in the evaluation of congenital anomalies of the heart and great vessels. J Radiol. 2004;85:1821---50.
Fishman AP. Changing concepts of the pulmonary plexiform lesion. Physiol Res 2000; 49:485–492
Erkan F, G¨ul A, Tasali E. Pulmonary manifestations of Behçet’s disease. Thorax 2001; 56: 572–8.
erjee K, Colaco B, Colaco C, et al. Rasmussen's aneurysm:...