Acute respiratory distress secondary to severe compression of the left main bronchus by the ductus arteriosus

Pediatr Cardiol. 2010 Jul;31(5):693-6. doi: 10.1007/s00246-009-9634-8. Epub 2010 Jan 13.

Abstract

Two newborn infants presented with acute respiratory distress. In both cases, the left lung was opaque, hyperinflated, and associated with a rightward shift of the mediastinum. A diagnosis of retained fetal fluid secondary to vascular compression of the left bronchus by the ductus arteriosus was made by combining various imaging methods including chest radiograph, computed tomography (CT), and echocardiography. Although the initial chest radiographs were similar, the mechanisms of obstruction were different. The imaging emphasizes the importance of CT angiography to understanding the three-dimensional relationships resulting in bronchial compression.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bronchial Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Bronchial Diseases / etiology*
  • Bronchial Diseases / surgery
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / complications*
  • Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / diagnostic imaging
  • Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / surgery
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / diagnostic imaging
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / etiology*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed