Congenital Lung Anomalies in Children and Adults

Bronchoscopy findings in children with congenital lung and lower airway abnormalities

Congenital lung and lower airway abnormalities are rare, but they are an important differential diagnosis in children with respiratory diseases, especially if the disease is recurrent or does not resolve. The factors determining the time of presentation of congenital airway pathologies include the severity of narrowing, association with other lesions and the presence or absence of congenital heart disease (CHD). Bronchoscopy is required in these cases to assess the airway early after birth or when intubation and ventilation are difficult or not possible. Many of these conditions have associated abnormalities that must be diagnosed early, as this determines surgical interventions. It may be necessary to combine imaging and bronchoscopy findings in these children to determine the correct diagnosis as well as in operative management. Endoscopic interventional procedures may be needed in many of these conditions, ranging from intubation to balloon dilatations and aortopexy. This review will describe the bronchoscopic findings in children with congenital lung and lower airway abnormalities, illustrate how bronchoscopy can be used for diagnosis and highlight the role of interventional bronchoscopy in the management of these conditions.

Anaesthesia Management for Neurosurgery in a Patient With Congenital Lung Agenesis

Congenital lung agenesis is a rare congenital abnormality associated with an absence or under-development of either one or both lungs, and its presentation in adulthood is even rarer. We describe a 40-year-old female patient with a history of congenital agenesis of the right lung and a high-grade glioma in the frontal region of the brain presenting for craniotomy and excision of the tumor in an MRI suite. Lung protective strategies of ventilation were utilized intraoperatively. The remote location of the MRI suite made access to extra manpower support challenging. The patient was managed uneventfully and discharged stable to the high-dependency unit. Our case describes how congenital lung agenesis poses a unique set of challenges for anaesthetic management, particularly in neurosurgical patients, and provides guidance to a multidisciplinary team approach.

Late presentation of unilateral lung agenesis in adulthood

Background

Pulmonary agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly with a reported prevalence of about 1 in 100,000 births. It may be bilateral or unilateral. Among the unilateral form, left lung agenesis is more common (70%); however, it is the right lung agenesis which carries a dismal prognosis due to the frequent association with a gamut of other congenital anomalies and greater degree of mediastinal shift leading to tracheo-bronchial and vascular distortion. The patients of unilateral pulmonary agenesis usually present in infancy or early childhood. Presentation in late adulthood as seen in our patient is rare. We present a case of left pulmonary agenesis that was diagnosed in 4th decade of life.

Case presentation

A 36-year-old male presented with gradually progressive exertional dyspnea of 1 month duration. Clinical examination revealed tachycardia and tachypnea. Chest radiograph showed opaque left hemithorax with ipsilateral mediastinal shift. Computed tomography clinched the diagnosis by demonstrating absence of left main bronchus, lung and left pulmonary artery with shift of heart, and great mediastinal vessels into left hemithorax. The patient was managed conservatively and discharged with attachment to out-patient department for regular follow-up.

Conclusion

Presentation of unilateral lung agenesis in late adulthood, as seen in the present case is extremely rare. This case report highlights that, a rare condition like unilateral pulmonary agenesis, should be considered in the list of differentials in an adult presenting with opaque hemithorax with ipsilateral mediastinal shift on radiography.

Imaging of congenital lung diseases presenting in the adulthood: a pictorial review

Congenital lung diseases in adults are rare diseases that can present with symptoms or be detected incidentally. Familiarity with the imaging features of different types of congenital lung diseases helps both in correct diagnosis and management of these diseases. Congenital lung diseases in adults are classified into three main categories as bronchopulmonary anomalies, vascular anomalies, and combined bronchopulmonary and vascular anomalies. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography, especially 3D reconstructions, CT, or MR angiography, can show vascular anomalies in detail. The tracheobronchial tree, parenchymal changes, and possible complications can also be defined on chest CT, and new applications such as quantitative 3D reconstruction CT images, dual-energy CT (DECT) can be helpful in imaging parenchymal changes. In addition to the morphological assessment of the lungs, novel MRI techniques such as ultra-short echo time (UTE), arterial spin labeling (ASL), and phase-resolved functional lung (PREFUL) can provide functional information. This pictorial review aims to comprehensively define the radiological characteristics of each congenital lung disease in adults and to highlight differential diagnoses and possible complications of these diseases.

Late diagnosis of pulmonary agenesis

Pulmonary agenesis is defined as the complete absence of one or both lungs, including the bronchi, bronchioles, vasculature and lung parenchyma. Most of these malformations are detected in early childhood. A residual number remains asymptomatic and undiagnosed until adulthood. The clinical presentation is wide, ranging from asymptomatic to respiratory complaints like dyspnoea, respiratory distress and a history of recurrent lung infections. This case presents a 54-year-old woman with complaints of coughing, dyspnoea for medium exertion and wheezing for a couple of months. Based on the results of complementary diagnosis methods, right pulmonary agenesis was diagnosed without other malformations. Simultaneously, an asthma diagnosis was also performed. The treatment of pulmonary agenesis is symptomatic. Simultaneous cardiovascular malformations could require surgical interventions. This case demonstrates that pulmonary agenesis may remain undiagnosed, be identified incidentally, and have a good and long prognosis.

Isolated arterial pulmonary malinosculation without sequestration in an adult: A case report and literature review

Abnormal connections between systemic and pulmonary vascular systems are rare conditions and have been mostly documented in the pediatric population. We report a case of type B isolated arterial pulmonary malinosculation in an adult. The patient's chief complaint was intermittent hemoptysis during physical exertion. He had a dual arterial supply from the anomalous systemic artery and the pulmonary artery to the left lower lobe and the venous drainage was through the pulmonary vein. The bronchial connection appeared normal. The fistula was identified on chest computed tomography and was treated endovascularly. The patient remains asymptomatic at 1-year follow-up.

Thoracic MDCT findings of a combined congenital lung lesion: Bronchial atresia associated with congenital pulmonary airway malformation

PURPOSE

To investigate the characteristic thoracic multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) findings of pathologically proven combined congenital lung lesion consisting of bronchial atresia (BA) and congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All pediatric patients (age ≤ 18 years) with a known pathological diagnosis of a combined BA-CPAM congenital lung lesion, who underwent thoracic MDCT studies from January 2011 to January 2021 were included. Two pediatric radiologists independently evaluated thoracic MDCT studies for the presence of abnormalities in the lung, including nodule, mass, cyst, ground-glass opacity, and consolidation. When a lung abnormality was present, the number, size, composition (solid, cystic, or combination of both), borders (well-circumscribed vs. ill-defined), contrast enhancement pattern (nonenhancement vs. enhancement), and location (laterality, and lobar distribution) were also evaluated. Interobserver agreement between two independent reviewers was evaluated with κ statistics.

RESULTS

Eighteen contrast-enhanced thoracic MDCT studies from 18 individual pediatric patients (8 males (44%) and 10 females (56%); mean age: 4.9 months; SD: 2.6; range: 1-10 months) with a pathological diagnosis of combined BA-CPAM congenital lung lesion comprised the final study population. The most frequent MDCT finding of combined BA-CPAM congenital lung lesion in children was a solitary (18/18; 100%), well-circumscribed (18/18; 100%), both solid and cystic (17/18; 94%) lesion with nonenhancing (17/17; 100%) nodule, reflecting the underlying BA component, adjacent to a well-circumscribed multicystic mass (18/18; 100%), representing the underlying CPAM component. This combined congenital lung lesion occurred in all lobes with similar frequency. There was almost perfect interobserver κ agreement between the two independent reviewers for detecting abnormalities on thoracic MDCT studies (k = 0.98).

CONCLUSION

The characteristic thoracic MDCT findings of a combined BA-CPAM congenital lung lesion are a solitary, well-circumscribed solid and multicystic mass, with a nonenhancing nodule, reflecting the BA component, adjacent to a cystic mass, representing the CPAM component. Accurate recognition of these characteristic MDCT findings of combined BA-CPAM congenital lung lesion has great potential to help differentiate this combined congenital lung lesion from other thoracic pathology in children.

Thoracic CTA in infants and young children: Image quality of dual-source CT (DSCT) with high-pitch spiral scan mode (turbo flash spiral mode) with or without general anesthesia with free-breathing technique

PURPOSE

To determine whether diagnostic quality thoracic computed tomography angiography (CTA) studies can be obtained without general anesthesia (GA) in infants and young children using dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) with turbo flash spiral mode (TFSM) and free-breathing technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All consecutive infants and young children (≤ 6 years old) who underwent thoracic CTA studies from January 2018 to October 2020 for suspected congenital thoracic disorders were categorized into two groups: with GA (Group 1) and without GA (Group 2). All thoracic CTA studies were performed on a DSCT scanner using TFSM and free-breathing technique. Two pediatric thoracic radiologists independently evaluated motion artifact in three lung zones (upper, mid, and lower). Degree of motion artifact was graded 0-3 (0, none; 1, mild; 2, moderate; and 3, severe). Logistic models adjusted for age and gender were used to compare the degree of motion artifact between lung zones. Interobserver agreement between reviewers was evaluated with kappa statistics.

RESULTS

There were a total of 73 pediatric patients (43 males (59%) and 30 females (41%); mean age, 1.4 years; range, 0-5.9 years). Among these 73 patients, 42 patients (58%) underwent thoracic CTA studies with GA (Group 1) and the remaining 31 patients (42%) underwent thoracic CTA studies without GA (Group 2). Overall, the degree of motion artifact was higher for Group 2 (without GA). However, only a very small minority (1/31, 3%) of Group 2 (without GA) thoracic CTA studies had severe motion artifact. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to the presence of severe motion artifact (odds ratio [OR] = 6, p = .222). When two groups were compared with respect to the presence of motion artifact for individual lung zones, motion artifact was significantly higher in the upper lung zone for Group 2 (without GA) (OR = 20, p = .043). Interobserver agreement for motion artifact was high, the average Kappa being 0.81 for Group 1 and 0.95 for Group 2.

CONCLUSION

Although the degree of motion artifact was higher in the group without GA, only a small minority (3%) of thoracic CTA studies performed without GA had severe motion artifact, rendering the study nondiagnostic. Therefore, the results of this study support the use of thoracic CTA without GA using DSCT with TFSM and free-breathing in infants and young children. In addition, given that motion artifact was significantly higher in the upper lung zone without GA, increased stabilization in the upper chest and extremities should be considered.

CT for Evaluation of Hemoptysis

Hemoptysis, which is defined as expectoration of blood from the alveoli or airways of the lower respiratory tract, is an alarming clinical symptom with an extensive differential diagnosis. CT has emerged as an important noninvasive tool in the evaluation of patients with hemoptysis, and the authors present a systematic but flexible approach to CT interpretation. The first step in this approach involves identifying findings of parenchymal and airway hemorrhage. The second step is aimed at determining the mechanism of hemoptysis and whether a specific vascular supply can be implicated. Hemoptysis can have primary vascular and secondary vascular causes. Primary vascular mechanisms include chronic systemic vascular hypertrophy, focally damaged vessels, a dysplastic lung parenchyma with systemic arterial supply, arteriovenous malformations and fistulas, and bleeding at the capillary level. Evaluating vascular mechanisms of hemoptysis at CT also entails determining if a specific vascular source can be implicated. Although the bronchial arteries are responsible for most cases of hemoptysis, nonbronchial systemic arteries and the pulmonary arteries are important potential sources of hemoptysis that must be recognized. Secondary vascular mechanisms of hemoptysis include processes that directly destroy the lung parenchyma and processes that directly invade the airway. Understanding and employing this approach allow the diagnostic radiologist to interpret CT examinations accurately in patients with hemoptysis and provide information that is best suited to directing subsequent treatment. ^©RSNA, 2021.

Pulmonary sequestration: What the radiologist should know

Pulmonary sequestration consists of a nonfunctioning mass of lung tissue, either sharing the pleural envelope of the normal lung (intralobar) or with its own pleura (extralobar), lacking normal communication with the tracheobronchial tree and receiving its arterial supply by one or more systemic vessels. It is the second most common congenital lung anomaly according to pediatric case series, but its real prevalence is likely to be underestimated, and imaging plays a key role in the diagnosis and treatment management of the condition and its potential complications. We will give a brief overview of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation and imaging findings of intra- and extralobar pulmonary sequestration, with particular reference to multidetector computed tomography as part of a powerful and streamlined diagnostic approach.

Prenatal diagnosis of pulmonary artery sling associated with tracheal agenesis: A case report

Pulmonary artery sling (PAS) and tracheal agenesis (TA) are rare diseases, and most cases of PAS are associated with tracheal bronchial malformations. However, PAS associated with TA is yet to be reported. We report a case of PAS with TA diagnosed prenatally. Due to the extremely low incidence, physicians do not have sufficient understanding of these diseases and it is challenging to diagnose these diseases by prenatal ultrasound, with high rates of misdiagnosis. Prenatal examination of the pulmonary artery branches, trachea, and esophagus is useful; therefore, improving the accuracy of prenatal diagnosis will help in perinatal management and counseling.

Clinical and surgical aspects of congenital lobar over-inflation: a single center retrospective study

Background

Congenital lobar overinflation (CLOI) is one of the most important causes of infantile respiratory distress (RD). We aim to evaluate our experience in CLOI management emphasizing on clinical features, diagnostic modalities, surgery and outcomes.

Methods

This is a retrospective study for all CLOI cases undergoing surgical management at Qena University Hospital. Demographic data, clinical data, radiographic findings, surgery and postoperative follow-up were reviewed.

Results

A total of 37 neonates and infants with CLOI were presented to our center between January 2015 and January 2019; their mean age was 111.43 ± 65.19 days and 22 were males. All cases presented with RD; and cyanosis in 19 cases. 15 cases presented with recurrent pneumonia and fever. Diminished breath sounds on the affected side and wheezes were the main clinical findings in 30 and 22 cases respectively. On CXR, emphysema was detected in all cases. A confirmatory CT chest was done for all cases. Left upper lobe was affected in 23 cases, right middle lobe in 7 and right upper lobe in 7 cases.

Lobectomy was done in thirty-one cases; their mean age at surgery was 147.58 ± 81.49 days and 19 were males. Postoperative complications were noted in 5 cases and postoperative ventilation was required for 2 of them. No morbidity or mortality was reported. The follow-up duration ranged from 3 months to 1 year and all patients were doing well except one case that lost follow up after 3 months.

Conclusion

CLOI is a rare bronchopulmonary malformation that requires a high index of clinical suspicion, especially in persistent and recurrent infantile RD. CT chest is the most useful diagnostic modality. Early management of CLOI improves outcome and avoid life-threatening complications. Surgical management is the treatment of choice in our center without recorded mortality.

Lung Hyperlucency: A Clinical-Radiologic Algorithmic Approach to Diagnosis

Areas of diminished lung density are frequently identified both on routine chest radiographs and chest CT examinations. Colloquially referred to as hyperlucent foci of lung, a broad range of underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms and differential diagnoses account for these changes. Despite this, the spectrum of etiologies can be categorized into underlying parenchymal, airway, and vascular-related entities. The purpose of this review is to provide a practical diagnostic algorithmic approach to pulmonary hyperlucencies incorporating clinical history and characteristic imaging patterns to narrow the differential.

Agreement between magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography in the postnatal evaluation of congenital lung malformations: a pilot study

OBJECTIVES

To compare postnatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the reference standard computed tomography (CT) in the identification of the key features for diagnosing different types of congenital lung malformation (CLM).

METHODS

Respiratory-triggered T2-weighted single-shot turbo spin echo (ss-TSE), respiratory-triggered T1-weighted turbo field echo (TFE), balanced fast field echo (BFFE), and T2-weighted MultiVane sequences were performed at 1.5 T on 20 patients prospectively enrolled. Two independent radiologists examined the postnatal CT and MRI evaluating the presence of cysts, hyperinflation, solid component, abnormal arteries and/or venous drainage, and bronchocele. Diagnostic performance of MRI was calculated and the agreement between the findings was assessed using the McNemar-Bowker test. Interobserver agreement was measured with the kappa coefficient.

RESULTS

CT reported five congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs), eight segmental bronchial atresias, five bronchopulmonary sequestrations (BPS), one congenital lobar overinflation, one bronchogenic cyst, and three hybrid lesions. MRI reported the correct diagnosis in 19/20 (95%) patients and the malformation was correctly classified in 22/23 cases (96%). MRI correctly identified all the key findings described on the CT except for the abnormal vascularization (85.7% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% PPV, 94.1% NPV, 95% accuracy for arterial vessels; 57.1% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% PPV, 84.2% NPV, 87% accuracy for venous drainage).

CONCLUSIONS

MRI can represent an effective alternative to CT in the postnatal assessment of CLM. In order to further narrow the gap with CT, the use of contrast material and improvements in sequence design are needed to obtain detailed information on vascularization, which is essential for surgical planning.

KEY POINTS

• Congenital lung malformations (CLMs) can be effectively studied by MRI avoiding radiation exposure. • Crucial features of CLM have similar appearance when comparing CT with MRI. • MRI performs very well in CLM except for aberrant vessel detection and characterization.

Developmental lung malformations in children: recent advances in imaging techniques, classification system, and imaging findings

Congenital lung anomalies represent a diverse group of developmental malformations of the lung parenchyma, arterial supply, and venous drainage, which may present anywhere from the prenatal period through adulthood. It is imperative for radiologists to be aware of imaging techniques and imaging appearance of these anomalies across the pediatric age range. This review presents the spectrum of these lesions that are often encountered in daily clinical practice. Each anomaly is discussed in terms of underlying etiology, clinical presentation, and imaging characterization with emphasis on the most up-to-date research and treatment. Knowledge of these areas is essential for accurate, timely diagnosis, which aids in optimizing patient outcomes.

Perinatal Thoracic Mass Lesions: Pre- and Postnatal Imaging

Chest masses present a common problem in the perinatal period. Advances in prenatal ultrasound, supplemented by fetal magnetic resonance imaging, now allow early detection and detailed characterization of many thoracic lesions in utero. As such, in asymptomatic infants, assessment with postnatal computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging can often be delayed for several months until the time at which surgery is being contemplated. Bronchopulmonary malformations comprise most of the thoracic masses encountered in clinical practice. However, a variety of other pathologies can mimic their appearances or produce similar effects such as hypoplasia of a lung or both lungs. Understanding of the key differentiating clinical and imaging features can assist in optimizing prognostication and timely management.

Thoracoscopic anatomical resection of congenital lung malformations in adults

Congenital lung malformations (CLM) are a heterogeneous group of disorders that may require surgical resection to prevent complications. Thoracoscopic resection of CLM has been reported in infants. Our goal was to state whether it can also be a viable option in adults. Between 2007 and 2014, 11 patients had a thoracoscopic resection of a CLM (six lobectomies and five anatomic segmentectomies) with satisfactory results. Although being more challenging in adults due to infectious sequellae, this approach is safe.

Congenital pulmonary malformations: metabolomic profile of lung phenotype in infants

BACKGROUND

The main hydrosoluble metabolites in three different human congenital pulmonary malformations are described by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

METHODS

Bronchogenic cyst (BC), congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) and intrapulmonary sequestration (IPS), were analyzed with respect to a control sample. The extracted metabolites were submitted to high-resolution (1)H NMR-spectroscopy.

RESULTS

Congenital lung malformations showed free choline, phosphocoline and myoinositol high levels. IPS and CLE were found increased in lactic acid/glucose ratio. Lactic acid and glucose values resulted to be more elevated in control sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Congenital lung lesions showed different metabolomic profiles useful for early diagnosis.