A case report of pulmonary sequestration (Pryce I) associated with infective endocarditis

We experienced a case of pulmonary sequestration of Pryce type I associated with infective endocarditis (IE). A 19-old-man had prolonged high fever of 39 degrees C against antibiotic therapy. He was referred to our hospital because of the positive blood culture and abnormal echocardiographic findings, which were severe aortic regurgitation with vegetations clinging the aortic cusps. In addition, his chest X-ray film showed mass lesion behind the cardiac shadow, and continuous murmur was auscultated on this portion. The left pulmonary arteriography revealed no arterial distribution to the left lower lobe, while aortography showed an aberrant artery arising from the descending aorta entering into this lobe. One month after aortic valve replacement for IE, left lower lobectomy and amputation of the aberrant artery were performed successfully. Pathologically, inflammatory changes of the aortic valve and proliferations of intimal and medial wall of the aberrant artery were shown. However, alveo-bronchial structure of the resected lobe was normal. Diagnosis, complications and surgical management of pulmonary sequestration were discussed.