[Chronic unilateral obstruction to pulmonary venous return. A study on 6 cases and review of the published literature (author's transl)]. / Les obstructions unilatérales chroniques au retour veineux pulmonaire. Etude de 6 observations et revue de la littérature.

The authors describe 6 cases of unilateral obstruction to pulmonary venous return: two cases of Halasz syndrome and postoperative obstruction of the reimplanted collector vein, one patient with Halasz syndrome and spontaneous obstruction of the vein in the form of a scimitar, one case of neoplastic invasion of the atrium-vein junction, one with unilateral absence of the right intra- and extraparenchymatous regions of the pulmonary veins, and lastly, a case of juxta-auricular interruption in the right pulmonary veins. The anatomy and physiopathology of the collateral venous pathways are briefly described, together with the relations between systemic arterial hypervascularization and pulmonary venous obstruction. The authors then review the radiological, clinical, and angiohemodynamic features of the unilateral venous obstruction syndrome, and conclude that precise diagnosis of venous occlusion, its location, and its tolerance are essential for deciding the therapeutic measures required.

[The left superior intercostal vein (author's transl)]. / La veine intercostale supérieure gauche

Study on the LSIV has several points of value: It enters into the normal mediastinal outline, forming the aortic "nipple". It may be the site of dilatation, either congenitally or secondary to haemodynamics changes. This venous dilatation should not be confused with a mediastinal tumour. It forms, in the majority of cases, an anastomosis between the superior vena cava and the azgos vein and therefore plays a part in the collateral circulation of caval obstruction syndromes. Its transverse course explains its involvement in the anterior and posterior mediastinal syndromes. Opacification of the LSIV should be part of the study of mediastinal tumours. By virtue of its relations with the left upper lobe, its study should be part of the pre-therapeutic assessment of such lesions.