Open AccessLeft Lung and Pulmonary Artery Hypoplasia: A Rare Case of Hemoptysis
Author(s) -
Guiomar Pinheiro,
Ana Margarida Alves,
Isabel Neves,
Teresa Sequeira
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of case reports in internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.125
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 2284-2594
DOI - 10.12890/2020_001490
Subject(s) - medicine , pulmonary hypertension , pulmonary hypoplasia , hypoplasia , pulmonary artery , left pulmonary artery , lung , right pulmonary artery , bronchiectasis , cardiology , pediatrics , surgery , pregnancy , fetus , biology , genetics
Pulmonary hypoplasia or agenesis is a rare congenital disorder that results in lung underdevelopment. This disease is usually found in children but rarely encountered in adults. We describe the case of an 84-year-old woman diagnosed with a unilateral pulmonary hypoplasia presenting simultaneously with left pulmonary artery hypoplasia. Due to this condition, the patient had a lifelong history of pulmonary infections that resulted in several bronchiectases in the affected lung. Moreover, the pulmonary artery hypoplasia led to the development of pulmonary hypertension and collateral circulation causing hemoptysis, giving rise to the patient attending the emergency department. Although we were able to medically manage the hemoptysis, it can be fatal and require surgical intervention. Hence, an early diagnosis is essential so that appropriate follow-up and prompt prevention and treatment of complications, such as pulmonary infections, hemoptysis and pulmonary hypertension, are achieved.