Systemic-pulmonary artery shunt: A rare cause of false-positive filling defect in the pulmonary arteries

J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol. 2017 Feb;61(1):82-84. doi: 10.1111/1754-9485.12469. Epub 2016 May 9.

Abstract

Computed tomographic (CT) pulmonary angiography is widely used for evaluation of pulmonary embolism. Intraluminal filling defects in the contrast enhanced pulmonary arteries are considered diagnostic of pulmonary emboli. We report a false-positive case where filling defects in the pulmonary artery were due to mixing of blood from a complex shunt or vascular malformation between the systemic arteries and pulmonary artery.

Keywords: CT pulmonary angiogram; pulmonary embolism; systemic-pulmonary artery shunt; tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Computed Tomography Angiography*
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Artery / physiopathology*
  • Pulmonary Embolism*
  • Vascular Malformations / diagnostic imaging*
  • Vascular Malformations / physiopathology*