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Patent ductus arteriosus with pulmonary hypertension

Case contributed by Domenico Nicoletti
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Suspected pulmonary embolism.

Patient Data

Age: 80 years
Gender: Male

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

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