[Bronchial obstruction by an aberrant left pulmonary artery misdiagnosed as asthma in a 7 year old child].

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Wheezing is common symptom in infants and is usually due to asthma. However an alternative diagnosis should be sought if there is no reversibility to B2-agonist.

CASE REPORT:

This case report describes a 7 years old child who had been treated for poorly controlled asthma for several years. The absence of B2-agonist reversibility, indirect signs of thoracic straining on spirometry and evidence of right heart decompensation raised doubts about the diagnosis. CT angiography demonstrated a pulmonary artery malformation. Formal pulmonary angiography confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary artery sling. This malformation had been causing intermittent bronchial compression and the symptoms resolved after surgical intervention.

CONCLUSION:

Wheezing symptoms over two Years in a child, misdiagnosed as asthma, is an unusual presentation of this pulmonary vascular anomaly.

• Authors: F Milhe, J Schranz, S Boniface, D Vervloet, A Magnan
• Journal: Revue des maladies respiratoires (Rev Mal Respir) Vol. 21 Issue 2 Pt 1 Pg. 402-6 (Apr 2004) ISSN: 0761-8425 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Un faux asthme lié à une compression bronchique par une artère pulmonaire gauche à trajet aberrant chez une enfant de 7 ans.
• PMID: 15211253 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic beta-Agonists

Topics

• Adrenergic beta-Agonists
• Angiography
• Asthma (diagnosis)
• Bronchial Diseases (diagnosis, etiology)
• Child
• Constriction, Pathologic
• Diagnostic Errors
• Female
• Heart Failure (etiology)
• Humans
• Pulmonary Artery (abnormalities)
• Respiratory Function Tests
• Respiratory Sounds (etiology)
• Spirometry