Pulmonary embolization in pediatric patients

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Pulmonary embolization (PE) is a rare procedure in children. We present the clinical results of patients who underwent PE due to abnormal blood supply and pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM). <bold>Methods:</bold> Medical records of all patients who underwent PE between 2009-2023 were reviewed. Demographic data, symptoms, underlying diseases, treatment, complications and long-term follow-up data of patients who underwent PE were recorded. <bold>Results:</bold> There were 6 patients who underwent PE [3 boys, 3 girls; age at diagnosis 87.3 (3, 204) months]. The age of PE was 98 (52-204) months. The follow-up period after PE was 9 (1-22) years. Recurrent lung infection and haemoptysis were the main symptoms. Two patients had extrapulmonary sequestration (EPS) in the left lower lobe, and the others had PAVM. The underlying disease was double aortic arch anomaly in a patient with EPS, Nieman pick type B and hepatopulmonary syndrome in a patient with PAVM. One patient with EPS developed pneumonia 24 hours after PE, and the second patient developed pneumonia requiring outpatient treatment 10 years later. A patient with PAVM was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism due to chest pain and shortness of breath 3 months later PE, and pneumonia one year after the PE. Residual filling was observed in 3 patients with PAVM after PE. Two patients underwent recurrent PE once, the other twice. A patient with PAVM was diagnosed with Behçet's disease and FMF 12 years after PE. <bold>Discussion:</bold> Patients should be closely followed up for complications such as recurrent pulmonary infection, pulmonary embolism, and the need for recurrent PE. Follow-up should be continued for a long time in terms of later diagnosed systemic disease and complications.