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Case Reports
. 2024 Oct 4;16(10):e70811.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.70811. eCollection 2024 Oct.

Agenesis of the Left Pulmonary Artery Associated With Hypoplasia of the Homolateral Lung: An Unusual Cause of Recurrent Respiratory Infection

Mohammed Musallam  1 , Ibtissam El Ghazouani  2   1 , Afaf Thouil  2   3 , Hatim Kouismi  4 , Cherifa Gounane  5
Affiliations
Case Reports

Agenesis of the Left Pulmonary Artery Associated With Hypoplasia of the Homolateral Lung: An Unusual Cause of Recurrent Respiratory Infection

Mohammed Musallam et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Agenesis of the left pulmonary artery represents a rare malformation, accounting for a small fraction of all cases of congenital heart disease. It is characterized by the absence of the left pulmonary artery, which can lead to respiratory and cardiac complications. This anomaly can appear on a standard chest X-ray, but it must be confirmed by a chest CT scanner, which makes it possible to visualize the absence of the left pulmonary artery and the associated parenchymal anomalies. The involvement of these patients depends on the evolution of their clinical condition, which may require symptomatic treatment and surgical intervention. We present a case of agenesis of the left pulmonary artery in conjunction with hypoplasia of the corresponding lung, diagnosed in a 45-year-old patient following a recurrent respiratory infection.

Keywords: left pulmonary artery agenesis; pulmonary hypertension; pulmonary hypoplasia; rare congenital anomaly; respiratory tract.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Lateral chest X-ray
Left basal lung opacity that obliterates the edge of the heart, associated with atelectasis and a small left lung field
Figure 2
Figure 2. (A) Mediastinal window of the thoracic angioscan demonstrating the absence of the left pulmonary artery in conjunction with a prominent large-vessel malformation involving the right thoracic aorta. (B) Chest CT parenchymal window demonstrating hypoplasia of the left lung and left inferior lobar varicose bronchiectasis with an infectious appearance
CT: computed tomography
Figure 3
Figure 3. ETT in two-dimensional mode showing an apical section of four cavities centered on the right cavity
It reveals the absence of the left pulmonary artery and notable dilation of the right atrium and right ventricle. The inferior vena cava velocity is 3.9 meters per second, and the right ventricle and right atrium gradient are 60 millimeters of mercury. ETT: echocardiogram
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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