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Case Reports
. 2012 Sep;15(3):512-3.
doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivs205. Epub 2012 May 22.

An anomalous segmental vein of the left upper lobe of the lung: preoperative identification by three-dimensional computed tomography pulmonary angiography

Yoshinori Ishikawa  1 , Shingo Iwano, Noriyasu Usami, Kohei Yokoi
Affiliations
Case Reports

An anomalous segmental vein of the left upper lobe of the lung: preoperative identification by three-dimensional computed tomography pulmonary angiography

Yoshinori Ishikawa et al. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2012 Sep.

Abstract

A number of variations in the pulmonary arteries and veins have been documented, and the information is very important for performing a safe lung resection. This report describes a case of an anomalous segmental vein of the left upper lobe of the lung. The patient was a 75-year old male who was suspected to have lung cancer in the left upper lobe. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a vessel behind the left lower bronchus. A three-dimensional computed tomography angiography demonstrated that it was an anomalous vein for the apicoposterior segment of the left upper lobe of the lung, draining into the left inferior pulmonary vein. The aberrant vein was readily identified during surgery and was divided without injury, and a left upper lobectomy was successfully performed. Aberrant pulmonary veins for the superior segment of the right upper lobe of the lung are rarely observed, and the same kind of anomaly on the left side has not been reported.

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Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
(a) A contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a vessel behind the left lower bronchus (white arrow). (b) A three-dimensional computed tomography angiography demonstrated that it was an anomalous vein from the apicoposterior segment of the left upper lobe of the lung, draining into the left inferior pulmonary vein (black arrow).
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
A intraoperative view showing an anomalous segmental vein (black arrow).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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