title: Beyond Ortner's syndrome--unusual pulmonary complications of the giant left atrium.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The giant left atrium (GLA) is a complication of severe mitral valve disease and causes morbidity by compressing adjacent intra-thoracic structures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report 2 cases of unusual pulmonary complications of the GLA. Case 1 developed recurrent collapse of the left lung due to left main bronchus compression. Case 2 was diagnosed with right middle lobe compression and collapse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Case 1 was successfully treated by mitral valve replacement and left atrial reduction surgery. Case 2 was treated conservatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pulmonary atelectasis may occur in patients with GLA due to bronchopulmonary compression. Surgical management with valve replacement and atrial reduction may be necessary to relieve airway compression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. gheech@singnet.com.sg
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Phua
authors.forename: P C T
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Eng
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Y L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chua
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D001980:Bronchi; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013577:Syndrome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed