The aberrant systemic-pulmonary artery communication: three-dimensional image simulation.

Background: Congenital arterial abnormalities are unusual causes of hemoptysis in elder patients. Appropriate image examination and recognition of the variant vessels are crucial in achieving precise diagnosis and successful treatment.

Methods: We report a case of 70-year-old female presenting with hemoptysis. Computed tomography angiography showed hypervascular lesions in the lingula of the left lung abutting the pericardium. Three-dimensional reconstruction image revealed an aberrant systemic arterial supply communicating with the left pulmonary artery and co-supplying the pulmonary parenchyma of the left upper. Single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with anomalous vessel ligation and lingual segmentectomy were performed smoothly. The symptom of hemoptysis subsided after operation with 2-year follow up.

Conclusions: An anomalous systemic arterial supply to the left upper lobe of the lung with an aberrant systemic system draining into the left pulmonary artery and co-supplying the lung parenchyma is extremely rare. Preoperative simulation with three-dimensional reconstruction image provides a clear spatial anatomy that allows clinicians to identify the orientation of the vessels more precisely when deciding on intervention.