Abstract
Introduction: Diseases requiring pulmonary embolization (PE) in
children are relatively rare. Transarterial PE is a minimally invasive
technique and is associated with a lower morbidity rate compared to
surgical resection. Clinical practice guidelines and recommendations are
generally for adults. We presented the indications, procedure technique,
and follow-up results of patients who underwent PE due to abnormal blood
flow and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) in a tertiary
pediatric pulmonology clinic. Methods: Medical records of all
patients who underwent PE between December 2006 and March 2023 were
reviewed retrospectively. Demographic data, major complaints leading to
the diagnosis, diagnostic procedures, underlying diseases, treatment,
complications, and long-term follow-up data were recorded.
Results: Six pediatric patients underwent PE (3 males, 3
females; median age at diagnosis 7.2 (0.2-17) years. Two patients had
extrapulmonary sequestration (EPS) in the left lower lobe; the other
four had PAVMs. After the PE procedure, pneumonia developed in one
patient and pulmonary embolism in one patient. In long-term follow-up,
pneumonia was observed in one patient, pneumonia with parapneumonic
effusion in one patient, and residual filling in PAVMs in three
patients. Conclusion: Children who undergo PE should be closely
followed up for complications such as recurrent pulmonary infection,
pulmonary embolism, and the need for recurrent PE.