Correct
3. Pulmonary varices

A filling defect is not present as would be seen with a pulmonary embolus. A large feeding pulmonary artery is not present as would be seen in pulmonary AV malformation (1). The lesion appears to be in the pulmonary venous circulation rather than the arterial circulation as abnormalities were only noted on the delayed venous phase of the pulmonary angiogram. There is no evidence of anomalous pulmonary venous return which occurs when pulmonary venous blood enters the systemic circulation or the right heart (1).

Pulmonary varices are dilatation of the pulmonary veins like varicose veins in the systemic circulation. These are very rare with only 71 cases reported in 1988 (2).

Which of the following are true regarding pulmonary varices?

1. Generally are asymptomatic and considered benign
2. Most occur as a result of congenital cardiac disease
3. Most frequently occur in the left lower lobe
4. Need to be coil embolized to prevent massive hemoptysis
5. Require surgical resection to prevent massive hemoptysis

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