Presentation
Suspected pulmonary embolism.
Patient Data
Age: 80 years
Gender: Male
From the case:
Patent ductus arteriosus with pulmonary hypertension
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CT chest angiogram
- well-defined enhancing tubular structure located between the descending thoracic aorta and the main pulmonary artery - patent ductus arteriosus
- severe dilatation of the pulmonary arterial trunk and branches indicating pulmonary hypertension
- mildly enlarged right ventricle with mild septal deviation due to high right ventricular pressure inside
- no signs of pulmonary embolism
- small areas of atelectasis in the left lower lobe
- multiple calcified stones are present within the gallbladder
Case Discussion
The ductus arteriosus is a pathway of fetal circulation connecting the pulmonary artery and aorta. Normally, the ductus arteriosus functionally closes by 48 hours following birth and anatomically by 4 weeks of life. When it fails to close, it is referred to as a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
In this case, the PDA is elongated - Krichenko type E.
Case courtesy: Dr. Francesca Guidi
Radiographer: TSRM Fabio Imola