Ventilation perfusion scan findings of unilateral pulmonary artery agenesis.

Unilateral pulmonary artery agenesis (UPAA) remains a rare congenital abnormality with varied clinical manifestations in the adult. Multiple diagnostic techniques are currently being utilized from the onset of symptoms to its final diagnosis.

Objective ÃÆ'Æ'Æ’ÃÆ'‚¢ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢â‚¬Ã...¡ÃÆ'‚¬ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢â€Ã...¡Ã‚¬ÃÆ'‚ The aim of this paper is to report ventilation perfusion (V/Q) scan findings in patients with UPAA.

Methodology ÃÆ'Æ'Æ’ÃÆ'‚¢ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢â‚¬Ã...¡ÃÆ'‚¬ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢â€Ã...¡Ã‚¬ÃÆ'‚ During the period of 2004-2005, 2 male patients aged 31 and 27 were found to have UPAA. The first case presented with high altitude pulmonary edema and the other with chronic DVT and pericarditis secondary to mycobacterium tuberculosis. High index of suspicion for UPAA was made from their medical histories, chest X-rays and V/Q scans. Pulmonary angiogram was done to confirm Yne initial impression.

Results: The cases resulted with the V/Q scan findings of absent perfusion in the right lung without corresponding ventilation abnormality. The right lung was relatively less ventilated. Chest X-rays revealed hypovascular right lung. The pulmonary angiograms showed absent right pulmonary artery and the blood supply going to the right lung was coming from the bronchial collaterals.

Conclusion ÃÆ'Æ'Æ’ÃÆ'‚¢ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢â‚¬Ã...¡ÃÆ'‚¬ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢â€Ã...¡Ã‚¬ÃÆ'‚ Diagnosis of unilateral pulmonary artery agenesis is often difficult because of its atypical characteristics. Ventilation perfusion scan is a useful tool to direct future diagnostic procedures in establishing the final diagnosis of UPAA.