Clinical and imaging features of pulmonary artery sling: The experience in one major medical center

Abstract

This case series describes echocardiographic and computed tomography angiographic (CTA) characteristics, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment in 15 patients of Pulmonary artery sling (PAS). Echocardiography is effective in diagnosing PAS, when the main pulmonary artery extends to the right pulmonary artery directly with the left pulmonary artery arising from the right pulmonary artery. CTA, clearly demonstrating the position and extent of trachea compression, the anatomy of PAS and the spatial relationships among the PAS, trachea and the esophagus, is necessary for the final diagnosis. Clinical presentations are caused by the compression of the tracheobronchial tree rather than the PAS itself. Left pulmonary artery reimplantation is the treatment of choice.

A case of pulmonary artery sling, unilateral lung hypoplasia, and congenital heart disease

“…Echocardiography and CT angiogram have a complementary relationship and provide a comprehensive evaluation of the heart (both intra and extracardiac), which is necessary for the definitive diagnosis that is essential for precise operative planning. Definitive diagnosis, however, is often provided by CT angiogram [10] as was done in our case. Management is mainly surgical and survival of symptomatic infants is said to be unlikely without surgical intervention.…”