Surgically treatable pulmonary arteriovenous fistula

Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2012;18(1):36-8. doi: 10.5761/atcs.cr.11.01661. Epub 2011 Sep 29.

Abstract

Arteriovenous fistuli are congenital malformations. Usually symptoms depend on size of the lesion. Lesions smaller than 2 cm are often asymptomatic. The most common symptoms are dyspnea, palpitation and fatigue. Cyanosis is indicative of right to left shunt. Helical computed tomography (CT) scan is a helpful diagnostic tool in this case. Surgery is the treatment of choice in patients with isolated lesions. Embolization is a selective method in patients with multiple or bilateral lesions. The patient was a 13-year-old boy complaining of cyanosis of lips and nails as well as dyspnea for 5 years. Definite diagnosis of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) in the right middle lobe was based on CT angiography. The patient underwent a thoracotomy and lobectomy of the right middle lobe. After surgery cyanosis and dyspnea were completely resolved.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Angiography
  • Arteriovenous Malformations / diagnostic imaging
  • Arteriovenous Malformations / surgery*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pneumonectomy
  • Pulmonary Artery / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Veins / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Veins / diagnostic imaging
  • Thoracotomy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed