Meandering pulmonary veins with a common inferior trunk: an anomalous left inferior pulmonary vein entering an anomalous right inferior pulmonary vein

Abstract

We report an unusual case of an asymptomatic 56-year-old woman in whom an anomalous left inferior pulmonary vein was noted to drain into the meandering right inferior pulmonary vein and the common inferior vein normally entered the left atrium. These findings were confirmed by three-dimensional computed tomography. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of meandering pulmonary veins with a common inferior trunk.

Anomalous single pulmonary venous trunk

“…[2,[4][5][6] Other anomalies have been documented, including pulmonary venous structures crossing the mediastinum and anastomosing with veins in the contralateral lung. [7] To our knowledge, a single pulmonary vein draining into the left atrium has been rarely described. [2,8] The anomalies of the number of pulmonary veins, as in this case of the single pulmonary venous trunk, may mimic PAVM on the roentgenographic imaging of the chest.…”

“…[24–7] These anomalies are typically asymptomatic and are incidental findings found on imaging studies. The most common variation is the presence of three pulmonary veins, with a single pulmonary vein draining the ipsilateral lung.…”

“…[24–6] Other anomalies have been documented, including pulmonary venous structures crossing the mediastinum and anastomosing with veins in the contralateral lung. [7] To our knowledge, a single pulmonary vein draining into the left atrium has been rarely described. [28]…”

“…A decreased number of pulmonary veins with abnormal interpulmonary venous structures has been described. [2,[4][5][6][7] These anomalies are typically asymptomatic and are incidental findings found on imaging studies. The most common variation is the presence of three pulmonary veins, with a single pulmonary vein draining the ipsilateral lung.…”