Bronchial Obstruction Due to Pulmonary Artery Anomalies

Abstract

A left pulmonary artery, coursing anomalously above the right bronchus and behind the trachea en route to the left lung, can produce disabling respiratory symptoms. Three cases observed by the authors are presented in detail and 5 similar cases, previously reported, are reviewed. The clinical features are those of tracheobronchial obstruction, occurring early in life, associated with endoscopic evidence of extrinsic pressure on the right bronchus and posterior wall of the trachea. The importance of the clinical recognition of this anomaly is stressed, since it appears to be amenable to surgical correction.