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1. Generally are asymptomatic and considered benign

Pulmonary varices usually occur in the third to sixth decade of life, are asymptomatic and considered benign. However, complications such as hemoptysis, recurrent infection, and cerebral emboli have been reported (2). They may be congenital or acquired. When acquired they often occur as a result of increased pulmonary venous pressure such as seen with mitral valve disease, coarctation of the aorta, or pulmonary venous stenosis. Most are located in the right lower lobe (RLL, 60%) with only 4% located in the LLL. To my knowledge there are no prior reports of bilateral lower lobe varices or an association with polycystic kidney disease.

References

  1. Gupta H, Mayo-Smith WW, Mainiero MB, Dupuy DE, Abbott GF. Helical CT of pulmonary vascular abnormalities. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2002;178(2):487-92.
  2. Uyama T, Monden Y, Harada K, Tamaki H, Miura K, Taniki T, Kimura S, Hashioka K, Nobuhara K. Pulmonary varices: a case report and review of the literature. Jpn J Surg. 1988;18(3):359-62.
  3. Arnett JC Jr, Patton RM. Pulmonary varix. Thorax. 1976;31(1):107–112.

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