ABSTRACT

Pulmonary arteriovenous (AV) malformations are rarely encountered as an underlying cause for cyanosis. These malformations may cause different symptoms depending on the severity of the AV shunt. Exercise dyspnea and cyanosis are the most frequently observed symptoms in individuals with pulmonary AV malformations. The present case report describes an eleven-year-old boy in whom the diagnosis of pulmonary AV malformation was skipped. It was learnt that the patient experienced fatigue for the last six years. Physical examination revealed club fingers, tachycardia, tachypnea and an oxygen saturation of 76%. Moreover, a continuous murmur was auscultated below the left clavicula and secondary erythrocytosis was specified. An AV malformation originating from the left pulmonary artery was detected by catheter angiography. Since the lesion was involved with only one pulmonary lobe, surgical excision was performed. This case report aims to emphasize the significance of thorough physical examination and to remind the clinicians about the possible diagnosis of pulmonary AV malformation in children who are admitted with the complaint of fatigue