PULMONARY ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULAS IN CHILDREN A Review with Special Reference to the Disperse Telangiectatic Type, Illustrated by Report of a Case

Summary Arteriovenous pulmonary fistulas present in infancy in more than half the number of cases. A distinction is drawn between isolated and multiple fistulas, and as a special category of the latter, the disperse telangiectatic type, is described. A review of the literature reveals 17 cases of this type. The present case extends this series—a girl dying at the age of 6 months, in whom the diagnosis of disperse telangiectatic arteriovenous pulmonary fistulas was regarded as probable on the basis of the investigations made. The diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy, which included bronchovascular injection of contrast during fluoroscopy. The relationship to the dominant hereditary Disease telangiectasia hereditaria (Rendu‐Osler disease) is discussed. It is emphasized that this relationship appears particularly clear in the telangiectatic type, a circumstance which is however not confirmed in the present case. The difficulties in diagnosis and the diagnostic procedures are mentioned.