Pediatric Pulmonary Arterial Aneurysm

Etiology: Pulmonary hypertension, tuberous sclerosis, congenital absence of pulmonary valve
Imaging: Focal dilation of all three layers of the wall of the pulmonary artery
DDX: Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm – usually due to trauma – which does not involve all three layers of the wall
Complications:
Treatment: Surgical – is high risk if associated with pulmonary hypertension
Clinical:

Radiology Cases of Pulmonary Arterial Aneurysm

CXR and CT of pulmonary arterial aneurysm — CXR PA (above left) shows a large, round lesion projecting to the right of the heart while the lateral (above right) shows it to be located posteriorly in the chest. Coronal (below left) and axial (below right) CT with contrast of the chest shows the distal right main pulmonary artery to be aneurysmally dilated.

Radiology Cases of Pulmonary Arterial Aneurysm Due to Absent Pulmonary Valve Syndrome

CXR and CT of main pulmonary arterial aneurysm due to absent pulmonary valve syndrome — CXR AP (above) shows an abnormal and prominent contour to the left superior mediastinum. The right superior mediastinum contour represents the thymus. Coronal CT with contrast of the chest (below) shows aneurysmal dilation of the main pulmonary artery. The pulmonary valve was absent.