CTICasesPortopulmonary Venous Anastomosis (Intrathoracic Varices)
[...]. Portopulmonary Venous Anastomosis (Intrathoracic Varices). CTICases. Published June 16, 2017. https://str-case-explorer.pages.dev/c/jvepd
Imaging findings
CT imaging demonstrates cirrhotic changes of the liver with ascites and a large cluster of mediastinal and retroperitoneal varices. Contrast-enhanced CT in the delayed phase clearly demonstrates a cluster of varices within the left lower lobe of the lung that drains directly into a peripheral branch of the left inferior pulmonary vein.
Key takeaways
In patients with severe portal hypertension, portosystemic collateral pathways can rarely extend into the thorax and form direct portopulmonary venous anastomoses. These intrathoracic varices can mimic a pulmonary nodule or vascular malformation on imaging, and recognition of their connection to the pulmonary veins is critical to avoid accidental biopsy or catastrophic hemorrhage.
AI-assisted summary — may contain errors. Verify against the source video. Learn more
More from this webinar
- Subaortic MembraneValvular
- OsteopetrosisMetabolic
- Post-ARDS Anterior Predominant Pulmonary FibrosisILD
- Right Atrial Pacemaker Lead PerforationDevices & Post-op
- Dab Lung (Butane Hash Oil-Induced Bronchiolitis and Organizing Pneumonia)Exposure
- Tumoral Calcinosis and Dendriform Pulmonary OssificationMetabolic
- Ruptured Right Coronary Artery AneurysmCoronary
- Hemopericardium and Tamponade after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)Valvular
See all cases from June 16, 2017 →
Related Vascular cases
- Radiation-Induced Pulmonary Artery-to-Bronchial Fistula and Pseudoaneurysm
- Fibrosing Mediastinitis with Superior Vena Cava Obstruction
- Tracheal Stenosis from Left Subclavian Artery Aneurysm
- Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema Secondary to Laryngospasm
- Profound Hypovolemic Shock with Shock Bowel
- Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension