Unusual presentation of a complication after pulmonary wedge resection for coccidioma.

We report an unusual presentation of a complication after pulmonary wedge resection. A patient with a history of pulmonary wedge resection for coccidioma presented postoperatively with dyspnea and severe hypoxemia. Cerebral infarctions were diagnosed less than 1 year later. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and pulmonary angiogram revealed a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. Surgical resection of the pulmonary arteriovenous fistula led to improved oxygen saturation and discontinuation of home oxygen. (Ann Thorac Surg 2009;88:2011-3) (C) 2009 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons