Value of computed tomography in the diagnosis of intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunts.

A case of intrapulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), its diagnosis, and a literature review is presented. We consider the diagnosis of intrapulmonary AVMs by noninvasive methods, such as plain chest radiography, fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT), and particularly dynamic CT imaging of the thorax. To determine hemodynamic factors, oxygen consumption, oxygen saturation and blood gas analyses of the central pulmonary circulation digital subtraction angiography as well as invasive pulmonary angiography are needed.