A 41-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for a further examination of interstitial lung disease (ILD). Chest X-ray showed reticular opacities accompanied by volume reduction of the left lung, and computed tomography (CT) showed asymmetrical linear opacities and ground-glass opacities with traction bronchiectasis in the left lung (Picture 1). Several possible causes of unilateral ILD have been previously reported, including gastroesophageal reflux (GER), vascular perfusion abnormalities of the lung, and impaired mobility of the thorax (1). She had no history of GER or thoracic operation. Therefore, three-dimensional CT angiography was performed to check for vascular perfusion abnormalities of the lung (Picture 2), revealing complete defects of the pulmonary arteries on the affected side without collateral circulation. A total of 14% of pulmonary artery defects reportedly have interstitial changes (2). We thus considered the cause of asymmetrical ILD to be unilateral pulmonary artery aplasia. Three-dimensional CT angiography can be useful for examining asymmetrical ILD caused by pulmonary artery aplasia.
Picture 1.
Picture 2.
The authors state that they have no Conflict of Interest (COI).
References
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