Embolization of the systemic arterial supply via a detachable silicon balloon in a child with scimitar syndrome

Scimitar syndrome is a rare congenital disorder. It is characterized by partial or total abnormal venous drainage of the right lung into the inferior vena cava, which is often associated with anomalous systemic arterial supply to the right lung, congenital cardiac anomalies, hypoplasia of the right lung and bronchial anomalies. Symptoms depend on the degree of the shunt and severity of the associated anomalies, which determine the treatment. We present a 6-year-old boy who was diagnosed as having the adult form of scimitar syndrome during evaluation for recurrent pulmonary infections, and underwent embolization with a detachable silicon balloon of the anomalous systemic arterial supply from the abdominal aorta to the right lower lung lobe. Successful elective surgery was performed 6 months later, in which right pulmonary veins were directed to the left atrium using a Gore-Tex patch by creating an intra-atrial tunnel. The patient has been symptom-free period during 6 months of follow-up, which supports the idea that recurrent pulmonary infections can be eliminated by embolization of the anomalous arterial supply.