Isolated unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery treated by pneumonectomy in an adult: report of a case

Congenital unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery (UAPA) is a rare anomaly usually diagnosed in childhood. We report a case of isolated UAPA in an adult without any other cardiovascular anomaly. The patient was admitted for repeated progressive hemoptysis, which we treated with embolization of the bronchial artery three times, despite which the hemoptysis kept recurring. Finally, the patient was treated successfully by right pneumonectomy. Thus, we think that surgical intervention is indicated for recurrent hemoptysis in patients with isolated UAPA.