A 23-year-old woman presented with an abnormal chest X-ray without respiratory symptoms. On computed tomography (CT), a mass was found on the right middle lung that was not enhanced in the pulmonary arterial phase but was in the pulmonary venous phase (Picture 1A-C). A three-dimensional reconstructed image revealed that the right upper and middle pulmonary veins were connected to the lower pulmonary vein (Picture 1D). Lung perfusion scintigraphy revealed loss of arterial flow in the right upper and middle field without any shunt (Picture 1E and F). Coronal and sagittal CT indicated atresia of the right upper and middle pulmonary veins (Picture 2). Ultrasound cardiography was normal, and there was no suspicion of pulmonary hypertension. Patients with congenital pulmonary vein atresia usually present in infancy or childhood with recurrent episodes of pneumonia or hemoptysis (1). In this case, collateral development helped the venous return.
Picture 1.
Picture 2.
The authors state that they have no Conflict of Interest (COI).
References
- 1. Heinemann LE, Nolan RL, Harrison JK, et al. Congenital unilateral pulmonary vein atresia: Radiologic findings in three adult patients. AJR 177: 681-685, 2001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]


