A Case of Anomalous Systemic Arterial Supply to Normal Basal Segments of Left Lower Lobe

Anomalous systemic arterial supply to the lung is a rare congenital anomaly. The lung supplied by the anomalus systemic artery has a normal bronchial tree, which is usually in the basal segment of the lung, especially in the left lung. Most of patients are asymptomatic, but the main clinical symptoms of this disease are hemoptysis and exertional dyspnea. CT is useful for the diagnosis and showed a retrocardiac nodular shadow connected to the descending aorta branching into the basal segments of the relatively normal lower lobe. Surgery is indicated for all patients. Here we report a case of anomalous systemic arterial supply to normal basal segments of left lower lobe in a patient with hemoptysis with a review of the relevant literature. (Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2004, 56:97-102)