Unilateral proximal interruption of the pulmonary artery in adults: CT findings in eight patients

PURPOSE: The authors retrospectively reviewed CT findings of unilateral proximal interruption of the pulmonary artery in eight adults. METHODS: Patient age ranged from 23 to 65 years (mean, 44 years), and three men and five women (six left-side affected and two right-side affected) comprised the study group. High resolution CT was obtained in five patients. Associated anomalies of great vessels included five cases of right aortic arch and one tetralogy of Fallot. RESULTS: On the affected side, complete defects of pulmonary arteries were seen in all patients. CT revealed serrated pleural thickening in six patients (75%), subpleural parenchymal bands in five (63%), and mosaic attenuation in three (38%) on the affected lung. Dilatation of bronchial arteries in five patients (71%), internal thoracic arteries in four (57%), and intercostal arteries in three (43%) were also seen. As for other parenchymal changes, cystic bronchiectasis and honeycombing were seen in two (25%) respective cases. On the unaffected lung, mosaic attenuation was seen in four (50%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The main manifestations of unilateral proximal interruption of the pulmonary artery were complete defects of pulmonary arteries, enlarged bronchial arteries, and formed pleural thickening or some parenchymal changes of the lung.