Cystic lung disease

Rare presentation of pneumothorax in a young woman with underlying congenital pulmonary airway malformation

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is the most common among a rare group of congenital anomalies of the lower respiratory tract. It has variable presentation depending on its subtype and the patient's age. It may lead to respiratory distress in neonates. It can be a particularly challenging diagnosis in children born asymptomatic but present with complications later in life such as haemoptysis, recurrent chest infections, breathlessness and pneumothorax. Prenatal ultrasound, chest X-ray, CT scan and MRI are helpful in making a radiological diagnosis.A woman in her late teens presented with shortness of breath and right pleuritic chest pain. CT's chest showed a number of bullae of varying sizes on the right, including one huge bulla compressing all three lobes. She underwent lung volume reduction surgery via video-assisted thoracoscopy, and the histology specimen confirmed the diagnosis of CPAM type 1.

Bronchogenic cyst at unusual location

Bronchogenic cyst results from abnormal bronchial budding. Thin-stalked mobile bronchogenic cysts are rare and sometimes radiologically mimic mass lesion, making preoperative diagnosis difficult. We present a 12-year-old boy with a preoperative diagnosis of intraparenchymal cystic lung lesion misled by radiology. We performed a mini-thoracotomy revealing a thin stalked mobile elongated cyst that arose from the right inferior pulmonary ligament, confirmed as a bronchogenic cyst in histopathology.

Intralobar Pulmonary Sequestration: A Case Report

Pulmonary sequestration is a congenital lung malformation characterized by a mass of nonfunctioning lung tissue that receives its arterial supply from an aberrant systemic artery. If symptomatic, most newborns present with respiratory distress. Recurrent infection is the most common presentation after the neonatal period. It is often diagnosed prenatally and is treated with elective surgical resection between ages six and twelve months. We present a case of an infant diagnosed with congenital pulmonary airway malformation prenatally revealed to be pulmonary sequestration at the age of six months, emphasizing the need for appropriate postnatal imaging.

Intralobar pulmonary sequestration presenting as recurrent left lower lobe pneumonia

This case discusses the diagnosis and management of pulmonary sequestration. Typically discovered incidentally on imaging, it can be a cause of recurrent pulmonary infections causing severe morbidity to the patient. Surgical management is indicated when found to prevent the complications of recurrent infections, including pulmonary necrosis, abscess, or fistula formation.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomical resection of the right anterior pulmonary segment in a 10-year-old child with congenital pulmonary airway malformation

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a very rare phenomenon subject to malignant transformation that requires surgical resection. In an asymptomatic 10-year-old girl, we identified a single cystic and consolidated lesion on computed tomography. This incidental finding was confined to anterior segment of lung in right upper lobe (RUL). Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) served to successfully achieve anterior segmentectomy, without chest tube placement. The surgical specimen confirmed features of CPAM, also showing acute and chronic inflammation with abscess formation. Once the surgical mainstay for such lesions, open lobectomy is now under challenge by thoracoscopic technique, port-reduction methods, and a lung-preserving strategy. Herein, we have shown uniportal VATS anatomical resection of right anterior pulmonary segment to be a viable option for a 10-year-old child with CPAM confined to a single lung segment.

Neonatal COVID-19 with Atypical Lung Cystic Lesions Mimicking Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation – A Diagnostic Dilemma

The COVID-19 epidemic is a major public health emergency that has affected every part of society worldwide, including neonates with different clinical presentations. It is essential to differentiate between increased incidence of complications related to this infection rather than an underlying congenital etiology. We report a rare case with atypical lung cystic lesions, diagnosed initially as congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) with management controversy but which turned out to be a COVID-19 viral pneumonia complication. Clinical tolerance and proper uses of radiological modalities are crucial to achieving better outcomes for patients. The literature is still missing reports on this topic and needs more studies to provide conclusive, evidence-based practice of this emerging neonatal viral infection. Vigilance in neonates with COVID-19 infection is highly recommended.

Is It Better to Operate Congenital Lung Malformations when Patients are Still Asymptomatic?

Context:

Congenital lung malformation (CLM) is a rare developmental anomaly of the lower respiratory tract. The purposes are to define if the presence of respiratory symptoms, in CLM may affect surgical outcomes and to define optimal timing for surgery in asymptomatic patients.

Settings and Design:

Retrospective review of patients with CLM from 2004 to 2018. Asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were compared. Moreover, asymptomatic patients were stratified according to age at surgery (< or >6 months).

Subjects and Methods:

Demographic data, prenatal diagnosis, symptoms, CLM's characteristics, operative and postoperative data were collected. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or none of respiratory symptoms.

Statistical Analysis:

Data were compared using the Fisher's exact test for qualitative values and Mann-Whitney test for quantitative values P < 0.05 was statistically significant.

Results:

One hundred and eighty-six patients were treated. Asymptomatic were 137 (74%), while symptomatic were 49 (26%). The most common presenting symptoms were respiratory distress (n = 30, 61%) followed by pneumonia (n = 18, 38%). Prenatal diagnosis of CLM was performed in 98% of asymptomatic patients compared to 30% of symptomatic (P = 0.001). Surgical excision was performed in all cases, and in 50% by thoracoscopy, without difference between the two groups. In 97% of all cases, a lung sparing surgery was performed without difference between the groups. Symptoms are significantly associated with older age, location in the upper lobe, and lobar emphysema. Length of stay in intensive care, postoperative complications, and reintervention rate were higher in the symptomatic group. Eighty-one asymptomatic patients underwent surgery <6 months of life; they had a lower rate of surgical complications (2%) compared with those >6 months (7%).

Conclusions:

The present study describes a comprehensive picture of CLM. In addition, we emphasize the role of early postnatal management and thoracoscopic surgery, also before 6 months of life, to prevent the onset of symptoms that are associated with worse outcomes.

Usefulness of prenatal magnetic resonance imaging in differential diagnosis of fetal congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation and bronchopulmonary sequestration

BACKGROUND

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) and bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) are the most common lung diseases in fetuses. There are differences in the prognosis and treatment of CCAM and BPS, and the clinical diagnosis and treatment plan is usually prepared prior to birth. Therefore, it is quite necessary to make a clear diagnosis before delivery. CCAM and BPS have similar imaging features, and the differentiation mainly relies on the difference in supply vessels. However, it is hard to distinguish them due to invisible supplying vessels on some images.

AIM

To explore the application value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the differential diagnosis of fetal CCAM and BPS.

METHODS

Data analysis for 32 fetuses with CCAM and 14 with BPS diagnosed by prenatal MRI at Huzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital and Anhui Provincial Children’s Hospital from January 2017 to January 2020 was performed to observe the source blood vessels of lesions and their direction. Pathological confirmation was completed through CT examination and/or operations after birth.

RESULTS

After birth, 31 cases after birth were confirmed to be CCAM, and 15 were confirmed to be BPS. The CCAM group consisted of 21 macrocystic cases and 10 microcystic cases. In 18 cases, blood vessels were visible in lesions. Blood supply of the pulmonary artery could be traced in eight cases, and in 10 cases, only vessels running from the midline to the lateral down direction were observed. No lesions were found in four macrocystic cases and one microcystic case with CCAM through CT after birth; two were misdiagnosed by MRI, and three were misdiagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography. The BPS group consisted of 12 intralobar cases and three extralobar cases. Blood vessels were visible in lesions of nine cases, in four of which, the systemic circulation blood supply could be traced, and in five of which, only vessels running from the midline to the lateral up direction were observed. Three were misdiagnosed by MRI, and four were misdiagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography.

CONCLUSION

CCAM and BPS can be clearly diagnosed based on the origin of blood vessels, and correct diagnosis can be made according to the difference in the direction of the blood vessels, but it is hard distinguish microcystic CCAM and BPS without supplying vessels. In some CCAM cases, mainly the macrocystic ones, the lesions may disappear after birth.

Congenital lobar emphysema: Thoracotomy versus minimally invasive surgery

BACKGROUND:

Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is a rare developmental malformation of the lung but can be associated with high morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to review our experience with 45 patients with CLE highlighting clinical features, aspects of diagnosis, and management.

METHODS:

The medical records of all patients diagnosed with CLE in our center were reviewed. Patients age at the time of diagnosis, sex, clinical presentation, associated anomalies, the lobes affected, treatment modality, and outcome were described. A comparison was made between those who had lobectomy via open thoracotomy and those treated thoracoscopically.

RESULTS:

From January 2000 to December 2018, a total of 45 infants with CLE were presented to our institution. There were 30 male and 15 female, and the mean age at presentation was 3.35 months. Twenty-five patients presented with respiratory distress. Nine patients presented immediately after birth, and two of them had surgery within the 1^st week of life. Twenty patients were presented with repeated chest infections. Left upper lobe was affected in 27 patients, right middle lobe in 13, and right upper lobe in 5 patients. Forty-four patients had a lobectomy, and one was managed conservatively. One patient had a postoperative bronchopleural fistula. Nine patients had a thoracoscopic lobectomy, and two of them were converted to open thoracotomy because of persistent air leak. The operative time and hospital stay were nonsignificantly longer in thoracoscopic lobectomy (P = 0.5 and 0.4, respectively). There was no operative mortality in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

CLE is a rare malformation with variable presentation. Infants presenting with respiratory distress or recurrent chest infection should be evaluated for the possibility of CLE. Lobectomy is the treatment of choice, and rarely, the patients may be managed conservatively. Thoracoscopic lobectomy is a safe procedure with the possibility of air leak and conversion to open lobectomy.

Clinical presentation and outcome in congenital pulmonary malformation: 25 year retrospective study in Thailand

BACKGROUND

Congenital pulmonary malformations (CPM) are a group of rare abnormal lung development lesions that can have various presentations. The aim of this study was to define the differences in the clinical presentations of CPM in neonates, infants, and children, and to review the outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in southern Thailand between 1992 and 2016.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients were diagnosed with CPM, and the median age at onset was 1.7 months (IQR, 0.03-10 months). There were 33 cases (61.1%) of congenital pulmonary airway malformations, two (3.7%) of bronchogenic cyst, eight of (14.8%) congenital lobar emphysema, seven of (13.0%) pulmonary sequestrations, and four of (7.4%) congenital lung cysts. Twenty patients under 1 month old and 16 patients who were 1-12 months old had symptoms of respiratory distress. In contrast, 13 patients >1 year old had symptoms of pulmonary infection. There were significant differences in the numbers of patients who had cyanosis (P = 0.006), cough (P < 0.001), and fever (P < 0.001) between the three age groups. Thirty-eight patients (70%) required surgical treatment involving lobectomy (78.9%). Median follow-up duration was 28.1 months (IQR, 3.7-9.4 months). Nine of 10 patients had abnormal lung function tests, and 80.6% of patients had no subsequent limitations in physical activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Respiratory distress is the important clinical feature in neonates and infants, whereas the signs of pulmonary infection usually occur in children >1 year old. Good outcomes usually occur after surgery but need long-term follow up including lung function assessment.

Robot-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy as treatment of a giant bulla

BACKGROUND

A bulla is a marked enlarged space within the parenchyma of the lung. Bullae may cause dyspnea by compressing healthy lung parenchyma and can cause a pneumothorax. Also, bullae are associated with malignancy, therefore surgical bullectomy is indicated on preventive basis. This case is unique and therefore valuable because of the remarkable presentation, innovative treatment and the spectacular improvement of lung function and socio-economic performance of the patient.

CASE PRESENTATION

In this case report we describe the presentation, minimally invasive surgical treatment by means of a robot-assisted lobectomy and postoperative outcome of a young patient with a giant congenital bulla of the left upper lobe.

CONCLUSIONS

In this case robot-assisted lobectomy has shown spectacular improvement of lung function and fast-track recovery with beneficial socio-economic performance in a young patient with a giant congenital bulla.

Anomalous Feeding of the Left Upper Lobe

We report the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with massive hemoptysis. Computed tomographic angiography revealed an anomalous vessel arising from the abdominal aorta, coursing anteriorly and through the diaphragm, and feeding the left upper lobe. At operation the vessel was found to anastomose to the left upper lobe lingula, which contained multiple vascular abnormalities and arteriovenous fistulas. The vessel was ligated, and the affected portion of the left upper lobe was resected. Anomalous systemic arterial supply of an upper lobe is an especially rare form of a Pryce type 1 abnormality. Recognition of these unusual anatomic variants is crucial to successful treatment and avoidance of adverse events.

From White Count to White Out

We present a 6-month-old boy with failure to thrive who was referred to the emergency department by his primary care doctor for leukocytosis and was found to be hypoxic with diffuse infiltrates on chest radiograph. Our patient was admitted and eventually diagnosed with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia secondary to hyper immunoglobulin M syndrome. Even though P jirovecii pneumonia is an uncommon cause of hypoxia in infants, this case illustrates the need for pediatric emergency physicians to be cognizant of this rare but life threatening cause of hypoxia.

Congenital cystic lesions of the lungs: The perils of misdiagnosis - A single-center experience

Background:

A majority of cystic lesions in the western world are detected antenatally, whereas, the diagnosis in our setup occurs once the child becomes symptomatic. Surgical management is primarily dictated by the presence of symptoms, recurrent infection, and rarely by the potential risk of malignant transformation.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis was carried out on all consecutive patients with cystic lung lesions managed at our center from January 2000 through June 2011 for antenatal diagnosis, presentation, diagnostic modalities, treatment, and complications.

Results:

Forty cystic lung lesions were identified. Only 8% were antenatally detected. Out of 40, the final diagnosis was congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation in 19, congenital lobar emphysema in 11, and bronchogenic cysts and pulmonary sequestration in five each. Of these, 20% had received a course of prior antitubercular therapy and 30% had an intercostal drain inserted prior to referral to our center. Postoperative morbidity in the form of bronchopleural fistula, pneumothorax, and non-expansion of the residual lung was noted in 10% of the patients.

Conclusion:

Antenatal diagnosis of these lesions is still uncommon in third world countries. Prior to referral to a pediatric surgical center a large number of patients received antitubercular drugs and an intercostal drain insertion, due to incorrect diagnosis.

Outcomes of prenatally diagnosed lung lesions in multigestational pregnancies

BACKGROUND

The outcomes of prenatally diagnosed lung lesions in the context of multigestational pregnancies are unknown.

METHODS

Of 960 fetal lung lesion cases evaluated at a single tertiary center over 16 years, 30 occurred in multigestational pregnancies. We reviewed this series to aid in prenatal counseling of affected families and to provide prognostic information for decision making. Pre- and postnatal clinical characteristics were gathered for these pregnancies, and the morbidity and mortality were determined for both affected and normal fetuses, whether twins or triplets.

RESULTS

Mortality was found to be 3/30 (10%) for affected fetuses, and morbidity in normal co-twins was consistent with the degree of prematurity. No morbidity was seen in co-twins born at or after 36 weeks of gestation. Median gestational age at delivery was 35 5/7 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Outcomes for the affected fetus correlate with the size and pathophysiologic consequences of the lesion and are not worse than previously reported outcomes for similar lesions in singleton pregnancies, while morbidity in the normal co-twin is consistent with prematurity related to the fetal age of the multiple gestation at delivery, irrespective of the fetal lung lesion.

Intrauterine surgery--choices and limitations

BACKGROUND

The past decade has seen much progress in intrauterine surgery. Randomized trials have documented the benefit of some procedures of this type for the unborn child.

METHOD

Selective literature review

RESULTS

Randomized trials have demonstrated the benefit of fetoscopic laser coagulation of placental anastomoses in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and of intrauterine surgery via hysterotomy for the repair of spina bifida. Other fetoscopic procedures have yielded promising initial results but are not yet supported by findings from randomized trials. Some intrauterine surgical procedures must still be considered experimental in view of the lack of randomized trials and the rarity of the conditions they are designed to treat. Fetoscopic laser coagulation for TTTS is by far the most common procedure in fetal surgery; TTTS arises in roughly 1 in 2500 pregnancies. The other procedures discussed in this article are performed much less often and for rarer indications. In general, intrauterine surgery is indicated only to treat conditions that would otherwise lead to intrauterine death or irreversible prenatal damage.

CONCLUSION

Intrauterine surgery is a rapidly developing field. Prenatal intervention by laser coagulation is indicated to treat severe TTTS, as its benefit has been shown in a randomized trial. Not enough evidence is yet available for the possible benefit of intrauterine surgery to treat myelomeningocele and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Other indications are experimental. When an indication for intrauterine surgery exists, the parents should be informed and, depending on their wishes, referred to a center where it can be performed.

Unusual presentation of a cutaneous bronchogenic cyst in an asymptomatic neonate

Cutaneous presentations of bronchogenic cysts are rare in all age groups. Previous reports of cutaneous manifestations of bronchogenic cysts have been described as nodular, adherent masses, most frequently with a suprasternal location. We report a unique presentation of an infant with a pedunculated, anterior chest wall mass, which was identified as a bronchogenic cyst.

[Congenital lung malformations: natural history and pathophysiological mechanisms]

INTRODUCTION

Congenital lung lesions comprise a broad spectrum of various malformations including congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM), bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS), congenital lobar emphysema, bronchial atresia and bronchogenic cyst. This review aims at the description of their natural history, and of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

STATE OF THE ART

Congenital lung lesions are frequently diagnosed antenatally and many remain asymptomatic after birth. In the absence of antenatal identification, they are usually revealed by the occurrence of infection. In some cases, spontaneous resolution of the malformation can occur. Different pathogenic hypotheses are discussed for the origin of these abnormalities, and common processes appear likely to all of these malformations. Factors involved in the process of branching seem to play a particularly important role.

PERSPECTIVES

Prospective follow-up of operated and unoperated children would complete our knowledge about the natural history of these lesions. The contribution of experimental models has led to advances in the understanding of pathogenic mechanisms. Further studies are needed to identify the factors initiating the malformative process.

Prospective study of antenatally diagnosed congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations

PURPOSE

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAMs) are increasingly diagnosed in recent years due to the routine usage of antenatal ultrasound. The aim of this study was to present the natural course and outcome of antenatally diagnosed cystic lung diseases, which were prospectively studied.

METHODS

Between the period June 2004 and June 2010, 25 fetuses with suspected CCAMs were seen in a single tertiary maternal fetal unit. One child was excluded as the fetal MRI suggested congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Data were prospectively entered into a database including antenatal and postnatal findings which were then analyzed.

RESULTS

Mean gestational age at the time of diagnosis was 20.8 weeks (range 17-29). Fetal interventions included amnioreduction (n = 2) and fetal thoracocentesis (n = 3) in one child. The mean gestational age at delivery was 38.5 weeks (range 31.6-40.6). None of the mothers underwent termination of pregnancy or spontaneous abortion. All patients underwent postnatal radiological assessment. Of the 24 cases, 5 children were symptomatic in the immediate neonatal period and 19 were asymptomatic. Anatomical surgical resection was undertaken in all symptomatic cases. There was one death in this group due to severe pre-existing pulmonary hypoplasia. Among the 19 asymptomatic cases, 5 children were managed conservatively as the lesions were not significant and the remaining 14 (73%) underwent surgical resection. The mean age at surgery was 11.1 months (range 3.3-34 months). Postnatal pathology confirmed CCAM in all operated cases, except one who had pulmonary sequestration.

CONCLUSION

Antenatally diagnosed CCAMs have an excellent prognosis except in children with a large lesion and associated with lung hypoplasia. Postnatal investigations are required in all cases to confirm the diagnosis. Symptomatic CCAMs require immediate surgery in the neonatal period with a good outcome. Asymptomatic CCAMs can be safely operated between 9 and 12 months of age.

Extralobar pulmonary sequestration presenting with torsion: a case report and review of literature

Posterior mediastinal masses have widely variant presentations and a broad differential diagnosis. We describe an adolescent boy presenting with a posterior mediastinal mass, associated with abdominal pain and pleural effusion. Radiologic, operative, and pathologic findings are reviewed. This patient was found to have torsion of an extralobar pulmonary sequestration, of which only 2 other cases have been reported in the literature. Although radiologic findings of a systemic arterial supply to the mass may be absent, with patients presenting with this constellation of symptoms, a high index of suspicion of a sequestration should be maintained.

Factors associated with partial and complete regression of fetal lung lesions

OBJECTIVE

A decrease in the volume of congenital pulmonary malformations (CPM) can be observed on prenatal ultrasonography, but the underlying mechanism for this phenomenon is unknown. Our objective was to identify factors associated with the prenatal reduction in size of cystic and/or hyperechoic lung lesions.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of cases with a prenatal diagnosis of hyperechoic and/or cystic lung lesion. The extent of reduction in lesion size was calculated from ultrasound measurements. Clinical, ultrasound, radiological and histological data were tested for their relationship with prenatal CPM reduction.

RESULTS

In a 4-year period, 36 patients were referred with a cystic and/or hyperechoic fetal lung lesion diagnosed at a mean gestational age of 23.4 weeks. The lesions were cystic in 16 cases (44%), hyperechoic in 12 (33%) and both in eight (22%). The malformation was no longer visible before birth (apparent disappearance) in nine cases (25%), shrank by 18-90% in 15 (42%) and did not reduce in 12 (33%). Findings on postnatal computed tomography were always abnormal. Isolated hyperechoic lesions were significantly more likely to shrink in utero. The mean reductions were 79%, 35% and 19%, for isolated hyperechoic, cystic and mixed lesions, respectively (P=0.001). Only 8% of hyperechoic lesions demonstrated no volume reduction, as compared to 50% and 42% of cystic and mixed lesions, respectively (P=0.03). Greater gestational age at birth was also associated with a decrease in the incidence of malformations (P=0.02). In cases that underwent surgery, hyperechoic lesions were linked to a variety of pathological diagnoses, whereas cystic lesions were all described histologically as congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations.

CONCLUSIONS

Prenatal size reduction of fetal lung malformations is associated with isolated hyperechogenicity and greater gestational age at birth. This might result from the resumption of normal lung development after local disruption of lung growth.

Analysis of reports on orphan lung diseases in Korean children

PURPOSE

Orphan lung diseases are defined as lung diseases with a prevalence of 1 or less in 2,000 individuals. Despite an increase in the numbers of patients with such diseases, few studies on Korean children have appeared. To obtain epidemiologic and demographic data on these diseases, we systematically reviewed reports on pediatric orphan lung diseases in Korea over the last 50 years.

METHODS

We reviewed 223 articles that have appeared since 1958 on orphan lung diseases in Korean children. These articles described a total of 519 patients aged between 0 and 18 years. We classified patients by year of publication, diagnosis, geographic region, and journal.

RESULTS

Of 519 patients, 401 had congenital cystic lung diseases and 66 had bronchiolitis obliterans. About 80% of patients were described in reports published in three journals, Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease (Korea), the Korean Journal of Pediatrics, and the Korean Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, in which papers on 157 (30.2%), 138 (26.6%), and 111 (21.4%) patients appeared, respectively. The frequency of publication of case reports has increased since 1990. Of the 519 patients, 401 (77.3%) were from Seoul/Gyeonggi-do and 72 (13.9%) from Busan/Gyeongsangnam-do.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of pediatric orphan lung disease has increased since 1990, and some provinces of Korea have a higher incidence of these diseases than do others. Studies exploring the incidence of pediatric orphan lung diseases in Korea are needed for effective disease management.

Current imaging of prenatally diagnosed congenital lung lesions

Congenital lung lesions refer to a spectrum of pulmonary developmental anomalies including, but not limited to, bronchial atresia, congenital pulmonary airway malformation (formerly known as congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation) and bronchopulmonary sequestration. These anomalies comprise about 90% of the anomalies seen in clinical practice. The advent of prenatal sonography and, more recently, fetal magnetic resonance imaging has changed our understanding and practice in the evaluation of congenital lung lesions. Postnatal imaging using low-dose computed tomography angiography (CTA) is extremely useful as it may provide information essential for differential diagnosis by allowing multiplanar reconstructions of the airway, lung parenchyma, and vasculature. The use of iodine in CTA permits the application of low-dose radiation protocols in these young patients. The purpose of this article is to emphasize the technical factors that may optimize low-dose CTA evaluation of these lesions. We also provide a description of prenatal imaging findings and helpful diagnostic clues that may be useful for the characterization of the most commonly encountered prenatally diagnosed pulmonary developmental anomalies.

A 4-year-old boy presenting with recurrent croup

Croup is common in children but recurrent croup is unusual. A 4-year-11-month-old boy presented with recurrent croup. Physical examination revealed decreased breath sounds over left lower chest. Chest x-ray disclosed segmental atelectasis over left lower chest and a mass shadow over mediastinum.

[Cystic pulmonary malformations: clinical and radiological polymorphism. A report on 30 cases]

OBJECTIVES

This report describes different clinical pictures of cystic pulmonary malformation (CPM) and problems in diagnosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Cases of CPM between 01 January 1994 and 31 December 2004 diagnosed in our institution were reviewed.

RESULTS

Thirty-three cases of CPM were diagnosed in 30 children. They consisted of 17 boys and 13 girls ranging from 20 days to 16 years of age at the time of the diagnosis. The CPM included: 17 cases of congenital lobar emphysema (CLE), seven bronchogenic cysts (BC), five cystic adenomatoid malformations (CAM) and four pulmonary sequestrations (PS). Three patients presented two associated lung malformations. The mean ages at the time of diagnosis varied from 2 to 88 months. The symptoms consisted of respiratory distress (n=14, 46.6%); recurrent attacks of respiratory embarrassment (n=6, 20%); pulmonary infection (n=8, 26.6%) associated with haemoptysis in two cases; haemothorax (n=1) and a chance discovery (n=1). Radiological investigations led to the diagnosis in all cases of CLE and CAM although it contributed less to the diagnosis of BC and PS. Twenty-nine patients required chirurgical treatment involving lobectomy (n=22), pneumonectomy (n=2) and cystectomy (n=8). The histopathological examinations confirmed the diagnosis in all cases and rectified the preoperative diagnosis in four cases. Except for one patient with CLE, who died a few days after a lobectomy due to acute nosocomial pneumonia, the postoperative period was uneventful in 26 children with a mean of follow-up of 24 months (4 months to 7 years). Three patients developed transient and episodic attacks of dyspnoea.

CONCLUSION

CPM may be responsible for many clinical and radiological pictures that present difficulties in their diagnosis. Polymorphism is related to the type of malformation, its topography and the evolutive complications.