Pulmonary venous varix

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 26 Mar 2024

A pulmonary vein varix (PVV) (plural: varices), also known as pulmonary venous aneurysm, refers to a localized aneurysmal dilatation of a pulmonary vein. As it involves a venous structure, varix is usually considered to be the more appropriate term. They are rare and may be congenital or acquired.

They are usually asymptomatic.

While they can occur anywhere in the chest, pulmonary venous varices are thought to typically occur at the confluence of the veins adjacent to the left atrium 3.

They are sometimes classified into three morphological types:

  • saccular type: considered most common 9

  • tortuous type

  • confluent type

Non-specific and can present as a mass on a chest radiograph 1.

CT pulmonary angiography is the mainstay of diagnosis 2 as it allows accurate delineation of arterial and venous anatomy.

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