Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation in a 2-month-old boy

Abstract

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is a rare vascular anomaly, in which there is direct connection between branches of the pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein, therefore, bypassing the capillaries; this may remain asymptomatic. However, in severe cases, patients may manifest with cyanosis and high-output heart failure. Furthermore, they stand the risk of stroke and cerebral abscess. This remains a diagnostic challenge in childhood because most patients present in adulthood; therefore, it is easily overlooked. Furthermore, limited diagnostic facilities in resource-limited setting make proper evaluation a constraint. Therefore, the case of a 2-month-old boy, who presented with PAVM early in life and was wrongly treated for chest infection, is reported. The diagnosis in the index case was established using contrast-enhanced computerized tomography of the chest.

Keywords

• Cyanosis
• heart failure
• pulmonary arteriovenous malformation