Intradiaphragmatic pulmonary sequestration: advantages of the thoracoscopic 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.

Revising the classification of lung sequestrations

PURPOSES

The classification of lung sequestrations distinguishes between extralobar and intralobar types, according to their venous drainage - systemic vs pulmonary - and the presence or absence of independent pleura. However, imaging, surgical and/or pathological findings often differ from this description. The objectives of this article are to quantify the percentage of lung sequestrations that do not fit the classic description of extra- and intralobar types and to evaluate the accuracy of the currently used classification.

METHODS

A retrospective search identified all children with a confirmed lung sequestration diagnosed and treated in our Hospital over the last 10 years. Two senior pediatric radiologists reviewed their contrast-enhanced computed tomography chest scans and evaluated the main anatomical features that define sequestrations, including pleura, arterial and venous pattern, airways and lung parenchyma. We compared the imaging-, surgical- and pathological findings to those described for extra- and intralobar sequestrations.

RESULTS

25 children (20 M, 5 F) conform the series. Only 13 lesions (52%) filled all criteria described for an extra- or intralobar sequestration. The remaining 12 lesions (48%) had at least one differing criteria, including incomplete independent pleura (n = 2; 8%), mixed systemic and pulmonary arterial supply (n = 1; 4%) or venous drainage (n = 3; 12%), normal connection to airway (n = 1; 4%) and/or coexistent congenital lung anomalies (n = 11; 44%).

CONCLUSION

Lung sequestrations seem to represent a spectrum of anomalies rather than separated entities. Therefore, a detailed description of their main anatomical features could be more relevant for clinicians and surgeons that the rigid distinction in intra- and extralobar sequestration currently applied.

Intradiaphragmatic hybrid lesion: surgical decision-making and value of minimal invasive surgery

Hybrid lesions (HLs) have elements of congenital pulmonary airway malformation and extrapulmonary sequestration (EPS) and belong to the congenital lung lesions. EPS usually arises in the thorax or the abdomen but rarely in the diaphragm. The preoperative diagnostic work-up based on chest radiograph, ultrasound (US) and CT often shows imprecise results. Therefore, the exact localisation of the lesion can only be ascertained intraoperatively. Here we present a patient, with an intradiaphragmatic HL, and demonstrate the difficulties of surgical decision making regarding the localisation of the lesion and discuss the value of minimal invasive surgery.

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.

Safe transection of aberrant arteries associated with pulmonary sequestrations

Background

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy is increasingly used for pulmonary sequestration; however, there are few descriptions of safe handling of the aberrant artery. Here we clarify the safe handling of an aberrant artery using a clinical review and an experimental model.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent lobectomy for pulmonary sequestration with aberrant arteries at the Nippon Medical School between January 2008 and December 2010. This was supplemented by an experimental pressure test using vessels obtained from pigs.

Results

We identified four patients with aberrant arteries that were successfully occluded via either stapling. In the experimental model, we divided pig vessels into small-diameter (S) and large-diameter (L) groups. The 1.0-mm-high staples were stronger in the S group than in the L group (p = 0.028). In the L group, the 2.0-mm-high staples were stronger than the 1.0-mm staples (p = 0.015). Leakage from the staple line was associated with a poorer B-shape of inserted staples.

Conclusions

The techniques described in this report are useful in successful minimally invasive transection of an aberrant artery (other than very thin vessels) when resecting a pulmonary sequestration by stapler only. A detailed investigation should be performed to determine the most appropriate stapler or cartridge.

A case of congenital diaphragmatic hernia with intradiaphragmatic pulmonary sequestration: case report and literature review

Extralobar pulmonary sequestration (EPS) can occasionally be found incidentally in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Extralobar pulmonary sequestration usually arises in the chest or the abdomen; rarely in the diaphragm. We report a neonatal case of antenatally diagnosed CDH associated with intradiaphragmatic EPS.

Intradiaphragmatic extralobar pulmonary sequestration in adult

Extralobar pulmonary sequestrations may be located in intrathoracic or extrathoracic areas. Extrathoracic intradiaphragmatic extralobar pulmonary sequestrations are an extremely rare subset of bronchopulmonary sequestrations and there have been very few reported cases until now. We describe a 48-year-old Korean woman found to have left peridiaphragmatic lesion on computed tomography. We performed thoracoscopic surgery and successfully resected the tumor. Based on the histological findings, it was diagnosed as an intradiaphragmatic extralobar pulmonary sequestration. Postoperative course was uneventful. Intradiaphragmatic extralobar pulmonary sequestration in adult is extremely rare, so we report the case with a literature review.