Partial Anomalous Left Pulmonary Artery Sling in an Adult

Abstract

We report a case of a partial anomalous left pulmonary artery sling in an adult patient as an incidental finding on computed tomography. There is a normal bifurcation of the pulmonary trunk into right and left pulmonary arteries with anomalous origin of the left upper lobe pulmonary artery from the right pulmonary artery. The anomalous vessel passes between the trachea and esophagus forming a partial left pulmonary artery sling without airway compression.

Keywords: Anomalous pulmonary artery; Pulmonary artery sling; Vascular sling.

Figure 1:

A 72-year-old man with partial anomalous left pulmonary artery sling. (a) Axial image from contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan shows bifurcation of the main pulmonary artery into the right pulmonary artery (R) and left pulmonary artery (L). There is an incidental right pleural effusion (E). (b) Axial maximum intensity projection (MIP) view shows an anomalous pulmonary artery (white arrow) arising from the right pulmonary artery (R). The anomalous vessel passes posterior to the trachea and anterior to the esophagus (black arrow). (c) Coronal MIP image shows anomalous left pulmonary artery (black arrow) arising from the right pulmonary artery (R) to supply the left upper lobe. L = left pulmonary artery. (d) Volume rendered view from anterior perspective depicts the anatomic relationship of the pulmonary arteries (pink) to the airways (green). The anomalous pulmonary artery (arrow) arises from the right pulmonary artery (R) and passes posterior to the trachea (T).