Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery (AOLPA) is an exceptionally rare congenital malformation, requiring particular care to be detected during fetal echocardiography. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 0, was referred for a mid-trimester anomaly scan. The three-vessel tracheal view in fetal echocardiographic examination led to the prenatal detection of an AOLPA in the presence of a right-sided aortic arch. Additionally, a bilateral arterial duct and the ductal origin of the left pulmonary artery (LPA) were detected postnatally. Prenatal diagnosis enabled the scheduling of the delivery in a tertiary perinatal center, immediate postnatal treatment with prostaglandin E1 to avoid obstruction of the isolated LPA, as well as surgical repair of the anomaly. CONCLUSION: The rareness of the disease led to only sporadically published cases of prenatal diagnosis of AOLPA. However, early detection makes prenatal diagnosis crucial regarding the infants' outcome. This case report underlines the importance of a meticulous examination of the bifurcation of the pulmonary trunk during fetal echocardiography. INTRODUCTION: Anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery (AOLPA) is an exceptionally rare congenital malformation, requiring particular care to be detected during fetal echocardiography. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 0, was referred for a mid-trimester anomaly scan. The three-vessel tracheal view in fetal echocardiographic examination led to the prenatal detection of an AOLPA in the presence of a right-sided aortic arch. Additionally, a bilateral arterial duct and the ductal origin of the left pulmonary artery (LPA) were detected postnatally. Prenatal diagnosis enabled the scheduling of the delivery in a tertiary perinatal center, immediate postnatal treatment with prostaglandin E1 to avoid obstruction of the isolated LPA, as well as surgical repair of the anomaly. CONCLUSION: The rareness of the disease led to only sporadically published cases of prenatal diagnosis of AOLPA. However, early detection makes prenatal diagnosis crucial regarding the infants' outcome. This case report underlines the importance of a meticulous examination of the bifurcation of the pulmonary trunk during fetal echocardiography.