[Varicose veins of the lung]

Varicosity of the pulmonary veins is a rare anomaly of the pulmonary vascular system. The varices do not usually change in size over years, do not cause symptoms and need no therapy. However, raised left atrial pressure can cause increase in the diameter of pulmonary vein varices. A case of lung vein varicosity in the right middle and upper lobe associated with coarctation of the aorta and an anomalous upper-middle lobe vein was observed over a period of 10 years. Increase in left atrial pressure (aortic and relative mitral regurgitation) led to enlargement of the pulmonary veins.