Congenital malformations of the lung

Pulmonary Sequestration Associated with Actinomycosis: A Case Report

Background: Bronchopulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital malformation of the lower respiratory tract; it consists of a nonfunctioning mass of lung tissue that is irrigated by an anomalous systemic artery. The association with Actinomyces superinfection has not been well established. Methods: We present the case of a 35-year-old woman with a history of recurrent episodes of pneumonia. Based on radiological and histopathological examination, she was diagnosed with intralobar bronchopulmonary sequestration associated with Actinomyces infection. Promoting clinical suspicion is essential to diagnose pulmonary actinomycosis in patients with recurrent pneumonia, to improve early recognition and timely management.

Hamartomas and other tumor-like malformations of the lungs and heart

Tumor-like malformative lesions are seen throughout the body, and they may be confused with true neoplasms by clinicians and pathologists alike. In the lungs, they are principally represented by hamartomas-which may contain chondroid, adipocytic, fibroblastic, and myxoid tissue, with entrapped bronchiolar epithelium-and congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs). The latter have been subdivided into 5 groups, based on their histological features, but they basically comprise proliferations of malformed bronchopulmonary tissues of different types. Type 1 lesions have a capacity for malignant transformation in a small proportion of cases. Malformative cardiac tumefactions include rhabdomyoma-like hamartomas; fibromatous hamartomas; and mesenchymal ventricular hamartomas, which contain cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, fat, vasogenic tissue, and nerves. Another intracardiac proliferation in the same general category is seen in the interatrial septum, in the region of the atrioventricular node. It comprises randomly-disposed gland-like profiles that are made up of endodermal epithelium. Originally thought to be a form of mesothelial lesion, that abnormality is now classified as an endodermal choristoma. All forms of pulmonary and cardiac malformations are only rarely symptomatic, and the necessity for surgical excision of them depends on the particular details of each case.

MUC5AC, cytokeratin 20 and HER2 expression and K-RAS mutations within mucinogenic growth in congenital pulmonary airway malformations

AIMS

  To analyse the expression of several mucins (MUC1, MUC2, MUC3, MUC5AC and MUC6), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), v-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukaemia viral oncogene homologue 2 (HER2), thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), caudal type homeobox 2 (CDX2) and cytokeratin 20 (CK20), and the presence of mutations of EGFR, KRAS and HER2 in congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAM).

METHODS AND RESULTS

  Forty-one cases of CPAM and six pulmonary sequestrations were included. TTF-1 expression was observed in all cases but was not seen in mucinogenic growths in CPAM. CDX2 expression was completely negative. MUC1 expression was noted in 12 (29%) CPAM and in 33% sequestrations. MUC5AC was noted in only five cases (26%) by immunohistochemistry and was found in the mucinogenic proliferations of type 1 CPAM. No immunolabelling was noted for the other mucins. EGFR was expressed variably in almost all cases, while HER2 and CK20 was seen exclusively in the mucinogenic proliferations. All mucinous growths were characterized by KRAS mutations. No EGFR and HER2 gene alterations were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

  KRAS mutations and MUC5AC, CK20 and HER2 expression was seen in all mucinogenic proliferations, supporting the neoplastic nature of these cytologically bland growths. These findings emphasize the importance of complete surgical resection of such lesions.

Malformações pulmonares congênitas

As malformações congênitas do pulmão são raras e variam muito na sua forma de apresentação clínica e gravidade, dependendo principalmente do grau de envolvimento pulmonar e de sua localização na cavidade torácica. Elas podem se manifestar em qualquer idade e podem ser fonte de importante morbidade e mortalidade em lactentes e crianças. Os indivíduos com malformações congênitas do pulmão podem apresentar sintomas respiratórios ao nascimento, enquanto outros podem permanecer assintomáticos por longos períodos. Atualmente, com o uso rotineiro da ultrassonografia pré-natal, vem ocorrendo um aumento no diagnóstico mais precoce dessas malformações. A manifestação clínica dessas malformações varia desde uma disfunção respiratória pós-natal imediata a um achado acidental na radiografia de tórax. O diagnóstico precoce e o tratamento imediato oferecem a possibilidade de um desenvolvimento pulmonar absolutamente normal. Quando assintomáticos, a conduta para o tratamento dos pacientes com malformações pulmonares ainda é controversa, uma vez que o prognóstico dessas afecções é imprevisível. O manejo dessas lesões depende do tipo de malformação e de sintomas. Devido ao risco de complicação, a maioria dos autores sugere a ressecção da lesão no momento em que essa é identificada. A lobectomia é o procedimento de escolha, fornecendo excelentes resultados a longo prazo. Este artigo descreve as principais malformações pulmonares congênitas, seu diagnóstico e controvérsias quanto o tratamento.