PMC5075316_01
Axial and coronal sequential images: (a, b) the left upper pulmonary vein (light blue) first runs under the left pulmonary artery, (c, d) then goes up medially to it, (e, f) crosses the aortopulmonary window, and finally (g) joins the left brachiocephalic vein.
CRIRA2016-1780909.001.jpg
PMC5075316_01_CRIRA2016-1780909.001.jpg
fig1
Contrast enhancement chest CT, performed in the portal venous phase as our usual staging protocol, reveals that the left upper pulmonary vein presents an anomalous route: it first runs under the left pulmonary artery, then goes up medially to it, runs via the aortopulmonary window, and finally joins the left brachiocephalic vein, describing on the whole a curved line with superior concavity (Figures 1 and 3).
Axial sequential images: (a, b) the accessory lingular vein (red) presents orthotopic drainage to the left atrium.
CRIRA2016-1780909.002.jpg
PMC5075316_01_CRIRA2016-1780909.002.jpg
fig2
Another finding was an accessory lingular vein (Figures 2 and 3).
3D reconstructions: (a, b) the left upper pulmonary vein (light blue) describes a curved line with superior concavity, finally joining the left brachiocephalic vein; (c) the lingular vein (red) has independent drainage to the left atrium.
CRIRA2016-1780909.003.jpg
PMC5075316_01_CRIRA2016-1780909.003.jpg
fig3
Contrast enhancement chest CT, performed in the portal venous phase as our usual staging protocol, reveals that the left upper pulmonary vein presents an anomalous route: it first runs under the left pulmonary artery, then goes up medially to it, runs via the aortopulmonary window, and finally joins the left brachiocephalic vein, describing on the whole a curved line with superior concavity (Figures 1 and 3). Another finding was an accessory lingular vein (Figures 2 and 3).