P. L. Van der Merwe, N. N. Kalis, R. P. Gie, M. Dumoulin, M. Gewillig
University of Stellenbosch and Tygerberg Hospital.
South Africa
South African Medical Journal
So Afr Med J 1996; 86 Suppl 3: C137-C141
DOI: Not Available
Abstract
Two patients with partial absence of the right and left pulmonary veins respectively are described. Congenitally absent pulmonary veins are a rare phenomenon and the diagnosis is often missed or delayed. When children present with haemoptysis and/or recurrent respiratory infections with no obvious underlying cause, absence of the pulmonary veins must be part of the differential diagnosis. Special investigations to be done in these patients are chest roentgenograph to compare the lung volumes, radio-isotope scan, echocardiography and cardiac catheterisation. Magnetic resonance imaging may be helpful in defining the cause and site of obstruction of the pulmonary veins. Depending on the cause, surgery might be considered.
Category
Absence or Atresia of Normal Pulmonary Venous Connections
Symptoms and Quality of Life Associated with Pulmonary Venous Obstruction
Diagnostic Testing. Noninvasive
Diagnostic Testing. Invasive
Year of Publication: 1996
Age Focus: Pediatric
Article Type: Case Reports or Retrospective Observations in Small Groups of Patients (≤10 patients)
Article Access: Free PDF File or Full Text Article Available Through PubMed or DOI: No