Ectopic extralobar pulmonary sequestrations in children: interest of the laparoscopic approach

Imaging Diagnosis for Intradiaphragmatic Pulmonary Sequestration: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES

Extrapulmonary sequestration (EPS) within the diaphragm (ID-EPS) is rare and requires additional procedures such as incision or detachment of the diaphragm from the lesion for diagnosis. This study aimed to describe the imaging findings and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) for ID-EPS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Split diaphragm sign, shape of lesion edge, drainage vein into intra-abdomen on ultrasound and CT, and lesion characteristics on ultrasound were compared between patients with ID-EPS and with above-diaphragm EPS (AD-EPS) using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Three and nine patients were diagnosed with ID-EPS and AD-EPS, respectively. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in the split diaphragm sign on ultrasound (presence/absence in patients with ID-EPS vs AD-EPS, 2/1 vs 0/9, P = .046), shape of lesion edge on ultrasound/CT (round/beak in patients with ID-EPS vs AD-EPS, 3/0 vs 0/9, P = .005 on both CT and ultrasound), lesion characteristics on ultrasound (presence/absence of cystic area within lesion in patients with ID-EPS vs AD-EPS, 0/3 vs 7/2, P = .046), and the drainage vein into the abdomen on CT (presence/absence in patients with ID-EPS vs AD-EPS; 2/1 vs 0/9, P = .046). No drainage veins were visualized in the abdomen on ultrasonography and no significant differences in the presence/absence of the split-diagram sign on CT (presence/absence in patients with ID-EPS vs AD-EPS and ID-EPS; 0/3 vs 0/9, P > .999; 1/2 vs 0/9, P = .250) were observed between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

A combination of postnatal ultrasonography and CT was useful in predicting EPS located within the diaphragm.

Intradiaphragmatic pulmonary sequestrations: a surgical challenge. Case series

Bronchopulmonary sequestrations (BPSs) are rare congenital anomalies characterized by non-functioning embryonic lung tissue receiving anomalous blood supply. They are most commonly located within the thorax (supradiaphragmatic) or into the abdominal cavity (infradiaphragmatic). Intradiaphragmatic extralobar BPs (IDEPS) are an exceptionally rare finding, representing a diagnostic and operative challenge. We report three cases of IDEPS and their surgical management, describing our experience and approach to such rare clinical entities. From 2016 to 2022, we treated 3 cases of IDEPS. Surgical techniques, histopathological findings and clinical outcomes were retrospectively evaluated for each case and compared. Three different surgical techniques were used to approach each lesion, from open thoracotomy to a combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic approach. Histopathological analysis of the specimens revealed hybrid pathological features, proper of both congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) and extralobar pulmonary sequestration. IDEPS represent a surgical challenge for pediatric surgeons, given their complex surgical planning. In our experience, the thoracoscopic approach is safe and feasible when performed by trained surgeons, even though a combined thoracoscopic-laparoscopic approach allows for optimal vessels control. The presence of CPAM elements within the lesions supports their surgical removal. Additional studies are required to better characterize IDEPS and their management.

Intralobar Pulmonary Sequestration with Anomalous Artery Arising from the Celiac Trunk

Pulmonary saequestration is a rare congenital malformation characterized by a dysplastic portion of lung parenchyma supplied by an anomalous artery originating from the aorta or its branches. The worldwide incidence of pulmonary sequestration among all congenital lung malformations in children ranges from 1.5% to 6.4%. There are two main types of pulmonary sequestration according to the localization of the malformation, i.e., intrapulmonary sequestration (dysplastic tissue located inside a lobe of the normal lung) and extrapulmonary sequestration. Our case presentation aims to make physicians aware of this rare anomaly which may be difficult to diagnose because of its oligosymptomatic course prior to first presentation. We present the case of a 10-year-old girl who suffered from a second episode of prolonged pneumonia of the left lower lobe. Contrast-enhanced-computed-tomography (CT) scan of the thoraco-abdominal segment of the aorta and its branches revealed intrapulmonary sequestration localized at the left lower lobe of the lung. The intrapulmonary sequester was perfused by a large artery arising from the celiac trunk. The girl underwent open surgery with ligation of the anomalous feeding artery and atypical pulmonary resection of the affected area of the left lower lobe. Postoperatively, the child recovered without any complications.

Diagnosis and treatment of communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformation: Report of two cases and review of the literature

RATIONALE

Communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformation (CBPFM) is a rare congenital malformation involving both the digestive and respiratory systems. To our best knowledge, most cases of CBPFM reported in the literature were in infancy or adulthood and CBPFM in infantile is even rarer with a high case-fatality rate partly due to misdiagnosis.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We presented 2 cases of neonatal CBPFM. A 11-hour male newborn was admitted because of moaning for 7 hours, and a 1-day male newborn was referred to us with profuse foams, choking on breast-milk feeding and facial cyanosis.

DIAGNOSES

With the assistance of upper gastrointestinal tract imaging and contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT), the diagnosis was established according to the most recent diagnostic criteria.

INTERVENTIONS

The case one recieved a lower left pneumonectomy and surgical repair of esophageal fistula. The case two was performed with a surgical repair of esophageal atresia and esophageal tracheal fistula firstly, and then also received a repair of communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformation two weeks after the first operation.

OUTCOMES

The case one was cured and discharged 2 weeks after admission. Unfortunately the case two died from respiratory failure.

LESSONS

Pediatric surgeons should therefore be aware that type I CBPMF is rare and preoperative diagnosis is usually difficult. Maldiagnosis is uncommon because clinicians often focus their attention on esophageal atresia and neglect pulmonary abnormalities. Other than upper gastrointestinal tract radiography and CT scan, bronchoscopy should be considered in pediatric patients with esophageal atresia complicated with pulmonary abnormalities, knowing that bronchoscopy may help confirm the diagnosis and select surgical strategies.

Diagnosis and management of intradiaphragmatic extralobar pulmonary sequestration: a report of 11 cases

Evaluate the diagnosis and management of intradiaphragmatic extralobar pulmonary sequestration (IDEPS). We retrospectively reviewed cases of bronchopulmonary sequestrations (BPS) diagnosed in our hospital from March 2011 to May 2014, in order to identify patients with IDEPS. Diagnosis of IDEPS was confirmed using prenatal Doppler ultrasound, postnatal intravascular enhanced computed tomography, and surgery. The 11 cases diagnosed with IDEPSs were confirmed with histopathology. In our first case we did not find any mass from abdominal surgery; we then turned to transthoracic surgery. Three patients underwent thoracoscopy, and seven underwent thoracotomy. IDEPS is better approached through the chest. Thoracoscopy in experienced hands a favorable approach.

Early thoracoscopic resection of an atypical upper extralobar sequestration

We report a very rare case of complex upper extralobar pulmonary sequestration, detected during pregnancy and resected early because the diagnosis was uncertain (possibility of a teratoma). At 2 months, the upper left pulmonary lesion was completely removed by thoracoscopy. Pathology concluded an extralobar sequestration associated with a duplication cyst of mixed bronchogenic and esophageal type. The postoperative course was uneventful. The early thoracoscopic approach in this type of antenatally diagnosed lesion was a good option.

Diagnosis of Intra-Abdominal Extralobar Pulmonary Sequestration by means of Ultrasound in a Neonate

Pulmonary sequestration is a congenital abnormality consisting of a mass of pulmonary tissue that presents an abnormal connection with the tracheobronchial tree, with a blood supply coming from an anomalous artery derived from the systemic circulation. Extralobar pulmonary sequestration is characterized by having pleural coverings that are independent of the normal lungs, with vascular supply usually coming from the aorta or from one of its branches. This diagnosis can be suspected prenatally if an abdominal mass, generally below the diaphragm, is seen. Here, we present a case of a neonate on the second day of life, with ultrasonography showing extralobar pulmonary sequestration located above the left adrenal gland that prenatally simulated a neuroblastoma.

Embolization versus surgical resection of pulmonary sequestration: clinical experiences with a thoracoscopic approach

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of treatment for pulmonary sequestration (PS) by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) versus surgical resection and to consider the role of a thoracoscopic approach.

METHODS

A retrospective review involving 73 children (≤ 15 years of age) with PS between 2002 and 2011 was performed.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients were managed with TAE, and 31 underwent surgery alone. Their presenting symptoms were pneumonia (n=11), pneumothorax (n=2), pneumomediastinum (n=1) and respiratory distress (n=6).Fifty-three (72.6%) were asymptomatic. The average age at treatment was 17.0 ± 44.4 and 31.3 ± 41.7 months for the TAE and surgery groups, respectively. In the TAE group, complete regression was observed in only 3 patients, 4 showed no regression, and 35 (83.3%) had residual lesions. Four patients developed sepsis or other blood vessel complications after TAE. The results of resection via thoracotomy versus a thoracoscopic approach were evaluated in 34 patients, including 3 who underwent the operation after TAE. Twenty-seven patients underwent thoracotomy, and 7 underwent thoracoscopic resection. There were no significant differences between the groups except time to chest tube removal, which was shorter in the thoracoscopic group (p=0.046). Complications included a wound infection in 1 patient after thoracotomy.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that even in asymptomatic patients, all PSs should be resected because of the risk of infection, the low rate of natural regression, complications after TAE, and to exclude other pathology. Our experience also shows that thoracoscopic resection of PS is feasible, efficacious, and safe in newborns and infants.

Intradiaphragmatic pulmonary sequestration: advantages of the thoracoscopic approach

Pulmonary sequestrations are accessory foregut lesions that are most commonly located within the thorax and occasionally in the abdominal cavity. Sequestrations arising within the diaphragm are exceedingly rare. We describe 2 patients found to have left peridiaphragmatic lesions on prenatal ultrasound and postnatal computed tomography. In the first patient, an initial laparoscopic approach was abandoned in favor of a thoracoscopic approach after no intraabdominal mass was found. The second patient had an uncomplicated thoracoscopic resection of a similar lesion. To our knowledge, these represent the first intradiaphragmatic pulmonary sequestrations to be resected via a minimally invasive approach. The rarity of these lesions makes definitive diagnosis without operative intervention challenging. Thoracoscopy appears to be a reasonable approach for resection of such intradiaphragmatic lesions.

The surgical management and outcome of congenital mediastinal malformations

We reviewed our institutional experience with congenital mediastinal masses and compared the postnatal management and outcome of patients with or without prenatal diagnosis. Between January 1997 and August 2011, 24 patients underwent surgical procedures for congenital mediastinal mass. For eight patients, the mass was detected by prenatal ultrasonography at 27 weeks of gestation (range 22-35). Postnatal management consisted in open surgery for seven patients at a mean age of 9 months (range 1 day-20 months) and sclerotherapy for one lymphangioma at 5 months of life. Sixteen patients had postnatal diagnosis at 137 months (±194) of median age. Eight bronchogenic cysts, seven bronchopulmonary foregut malformations, five teratomas, three lymphangiomas and one haemangioma were operated on. The median age at resection was 28 months (1 day-15 years). There were four emergency procedures and no surgical mortality. The median follow-up was 45 months (3-144). The duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay was, respectively, 4.6 h and 7.5 days for antenatal patients and 24.3 h and 14.3 days for postnatal diagnosed patients. Prenatal diagnosis allows early management of congenital mediastinal malformations. Early resection can be performed prior to the occurrence of symptoms ∼1 year of life and is associated with an excellent outcome and less morbidity.