Malformações pulmonares congênitas

CPLANE protein INTU regulates growth and patterning of the mouse lungs through cilia-dependent Hh signaling

Congenital lung malformations are fatal at birth in their severe forms. Prevention and early intervention of these birth defects require a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of lung development. We find that the loss of inturned (Intu), a cilia and planar polarity effector gene, severely disrupts growth and branching morphogenesis of the mouse embryonic lungs. Consistent with our previous results indicating an important role for Intu in ciliogenesis and hedgehog (Hh) signaling, we find greatly reduced number of primary cilia in both the epithelial and mesenchymal tissues of the lungs. We also find significantly reduced expression of Gli1 and Ptch1, direct targets of Hh signaling, suggesting disruption of cilia-dependent Hh signaling in Intu mutant lungs. An agonist of the Hh pathway activator, smoothened, increases Hh target gene expression and tubulogenesis in explanted wild type, but not Intu mutant, lungs, suggesting impaired Hh signaling response underlying lung morphogenetic defects in Intu mutants. Furthermore, removing both Gli2 and Intu completely abolishes branching morphogenesis of the lung, strongly supporting a mechanism by which Intu regulates lung growth and patterning through cilia-dependent Hh signaling. Moreover, a transcriptomics analysis identifies around 200 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Intu mutant lungs, including known Hh target genes Gli1, Ptch1/2 and Hhip. Genes involved in muscle differentiation and function are highly enriched among the DEGs, consistent with an important role of Hh signaling in airway smooth muscle differentiation. In addition, we find that the difference in gene expression between the left and right lungs diminishes in Intu mutants, suggesting an important role of Intu in asymmetrical growth and patterning of the mouse lungs.

The molecular and cellular choreography of early mammalian lung development

Mammalian lung development starts from a specific cluster of endodermal cells situated within the ventral foregut region. With the orchestrating of delicate choreography of transcription factors, signaling pathways, and cell-cell communications, the endodermal diverticulum extends into the surrounding mesenchyme, and builds the cellular and structural basis of the complex respiratory system. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current molecular insights of mammalian lung development, with a particular focus on the early stage of lung cell fate differentiation and spatial patterning. Furthermore, we explore the implications of several congenital respiratory diseases and the relevance to early organogenesis. Finally, we summarize the unprecedented knowledge concerning lung cell compositions, regulatory networks as well as the promising prospect for gaining an unbiased understanding of lung development and lung malformations through state-of-the-art single-cell omics.

Lingular intralobar pulmonary sequestration supplied by the left inferior phrenic artery arising from the left gastric artery - A case report and literature review

Pulmonary sequestration is characterized by a nonfunctional mass of lung tissue with an aberrant blood supply. Intralobar pulmonary sequestration (IPS) typically affects lower lung lobes and receives its blood supply from systemic arteries. Here, we present a unique case of a 51-year-old woman presented with recurrent nonmassive hemoptysis. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the chest showed uniform consolidation in the inferior lingular segment of the left upper lobe. Maximal intensity projection (MIP) and three-dimensional volume rendering (3D-VR) showed the affected area's blood supply from unusual arterial branches originating from the left inferior phrenic artery arising from the left gastric artery, consistent with IPS. A multidisciplinary approach utilized endovascular intervention (coil embolization) before successful surgical resection. Detecting IPS in unusual sites, like the lingular region, poses a diagnostic challenge. Clinicians and radiologists may not initially consider this diagnosis when evaluating patients with respiratory symptoms or incidental imaging findings. A comprehensive grasp of their anatomy and vascular variations is vital for precise diagnosis and effective treatment planning.

Congenital pulmonary malformations

There are many congenital anomalies of the lung, some of which have no clinical symptoms and are detected incidentally, while others, particularly in the neonatal and infant period, are recognized by their typical signs, symptoms, and radiological appearance. Some congenital lung anomalies are so important that they can cause the death of the patient if not diagnosed and treated early. Classification of congenital lung anomalies is difficult since these anomalies may be related to the airway, arterial and venous vascular system, pulmonary parenchyma, and primitive anterior intestinal anomalies from which the lung originates, and some anomalies may have several etiologic origins. In this review, all subgroups of congenital pulmonary malformations will be discussed.

Unexpected pulmonary sequestration in a pregnant patient

A pregnant woman in her early 30s, at 20 weeks of gestational age, presented with recurrent haemoptysis, pleuritic chest pain and a productive cough of 6 months duration. She underwent CT pulmonary angiogram which demonstrated right pulmonary sequestration and right-sided consolidation. Pre-existing pulmonary comorbidities such as chronic inflammation, structural abnormalities or weakened blood vessels within the lungs can encourage the growth of abnormal blood vessels. During pregnancy, these dynamics can be further aggravated by increasing cardiac output to promote blood flow to the placenta and increasing oxygen delivery to the developing foetus. These changes likely cause increased blood flow to the pulmonary sequestration, resulting in haemoptysis. The patient was treated conservatively for community-acquired pneumonia with a course of oral amoxicillin 500 mg three times a day for 5 days, and she is doing well on follow-up.

A unique case of intralobar pulmonary sequestration in an elderly patient: A case report

Pulmonary sequestration (PS) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by non-functional lung tissue receiving blood supply from an abnormal source. PS is typically diagnosed in young individuals but is uncommon in the elderly. This abstract describes a case of PS in a 62-year-old male patient presenting with recurrent fever, chronic cough, and difficulty breathing. Imaging revealed abnormal lung tissue disconnected from the bronchial tree, with blood supply from the descending thoracic aorta. Surgical intervention successfully treated the condition. The case emphasizes the need to consider PS as a possible diagnosis, even in older patients, and suggests further research into its possible etiologies.

Do More with Less? Lobectomy vs. Segmentectomy for Patients with Congenital Pulmonary Malformations

BACKGROUND

Congenital Pulmonary Malformations (CPMs) are rare benign lesions potentially causing infective complications and/or malignant transformation, requiring surgery even when asymptomatic. CPMs are rare in adulthood but potentially detected at any age. There is not a consensus on the correct extent of resection in both adults and paediatrics. This retrospective multicentric study aims to identify the appropriate surgical resection to prevent the recurrence of the related respiratory symptoms.

METHODS

Between 2010 and 2020, a total of 96 patients (adults and pediatrics) underwent surgery for CPMs in 4 centers. A 2:1 propensity score matching (considering sex and lesion side) was performed, identifying 2 groups: 50 patients underwent lobectomy (group A) and 25 sub-lobar resections (group B). Clinical and histopathological characteristics, early and late complications, and symptom recurrence were retrospectively analyzed and compared between the two groups by univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent lobectomy had a statistically significant lower rate of recurrence (4% vs. 24% of group B, p = 0.014) and a lower rate of intraoperative complications (p = 0.014). Logistic regression identified sub-lobar resection (p = 0.040), intra- and post-operative complications (p = 0.105 and 0.022),and associated developed neoplasm (p = 0.062) as possible risk factors for symptom recurrence after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary lobectomy seems to be the most effective surgical treatment for CPMs, guaranteeing the stable remission of symptoms and a lower rate of intra- and postoperative complications. To our knowledge, this is one of the largest studies comparing lobectomy and sub-lobar resections in patients affected by CPMs, considering the low incidence worldwide.

Preoperative visualization of congenital lung abnormalities: hybridizing artificial intelligence and virtual reality

OBJECTIVES

When surgical resection is indicated for a congenital lung abnormality (CLA), lobectomy is often preferred over segmentectomy, mostly because the latter is associated with more residual disease. Presumably, this occurs in children because sublobar surgery often does not adhere to anatomical borders (wedge resection instead of segmentectomy), thus increasing the risk of residual disease. This study investigated the feasibility of identifying eligible cases for anatomical segmentectomy by combining virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI).

METHODS

Semi-automated segmentation of bronchovascular structures and lesions were visualized with VR and AI technology. Two specialists independently evaluated via a questionnaire the informative value of regular computed tomography versus three-dimensional (3D) VR images.

RESULTS

Five asymptomatic, non-operated cases were selected. Bronchovascular segmentation, volume calculation and image visualization in the VR environment were successful in all cases. Based on the computed tomography images, assignment of the CLA lesion to specific lung segments matched between the consulted specialists in only 1 out of the cases. Based on the three 3D VR images, however, the localization matched in 3 of the 5 cases. If the patients would have been operated, adding the 3D VR tool to the preoperative workup would have resulted in changing the surgical strategy (i.e. lobectomy versus segmentectomy) in 4 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the technical feasibility of a hybridized AI-VR visualization of segment-level lung anatomy in patients with CLA. Further exploration of the value of 3D VR in identifying eligible cases for anatomical segmentectomy is therefore warranted.

Congenital Lung Malformations: Clinical and Functional Respiratory Outcomes after Surgery

Congenital lung malformations (CLMs) involve anomalies of the lungs and respiratory tree such as congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM), pulmonary sequestration (PS), bronchogenic cysts, congenital lobar emphysema, and bronchial atresia (BA). Although symptomatic lesions require surgical resection, the appropriateness of surgery for patients with asymptomatic malformations is a matter of ongoing debate. Limited data are available concerning the long-term follow-up of affected subjects. In this study, we sought to evaluate the long-term clinical and functional respiratory outcomes in children with CLMs who underwent surgical resection. We carried out a retrospective analysis of 77 children with CLMs who underwent pulmonary resection with at least one year of follow-up. The most common diagnoses were CPAM (50.65%), hybrid lesions (25.97%), lobar emphysema (11.69%), and PS (5.19%). The most common surgical approaches were lobectomy (61.3%), segmentectomy (10.7%), and pneumonectomy (5.3%). Acute post-surgery complications occurred in 31.2% of children. In addition, 73.7% experienced long-term complications, and we found no correlation between the presence of these complications and the sex of the patients, their age at time of surgery, the type of surgery undergone, the presence of symptoms prior to intervention, or acute complications after surgery. Pulmonary function tests revealed FEV1 Z-scores of <−2 SDs in 16 patients, and we found a significant correlation between pneumonectomy and the development of lung function deficit (p = 0.031). In conclusion, clinical and functional respiratory complications may occur in children with CLMs who undergo surgical resection. Long-term monitoring is needed to improve the management of asymptomatic patients.

Fetal imaging of congenital lung lesions with postnatal correlation

Congenital lung lesions are a rare group of developmental pulmonary abnormalities that are often first identified prenatally on routine second-trimester US. Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is the most common anomaly while others include bronchopulmonary sequestration, congenital lobar overinflation, bronchogenic cyst and bronchial atresia. Clinical presentation is highly variable, ranging from apparent in utero resolution to severe mass effect with resultant hydrops fetalis and fetal demise. Differentiation among these lesions can be challenging because overlapping imaging features are often present. The roles of the radiologist are to identify key imaging findings that help in diagnosing congenital lung lesions and to recognize any ominous features that might require prenatal or perinatal intervention. High-resolution US and complementary rapid-acquisition fetal MRI provide valuable information necessary for lesion characterization. Postnatal US and CT angiography are helpful for lesion evaluation and for possible surgical planning. This article reviews the embryology of the lungs, the normal prenatal imaging appearance of the thorax and its contents, and the prenatal and neonatal imaging characteristics, prognosis and management of various congenital lung lesions.

Assessment of the fetal lungs in utero

Antenatal diagnosis of abnormal pulmonary development has improved significantly over recent years because of progress in imaging techniques. Two-dimensional ultrasound is the mainstay of investigation of pulmonary pathology during pregnancy, providing good prognostication in conditions such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia; however, it is less validated in other high-risk groups such as those with congenital pulmonary airway malformation or preterm premature rupture of membranes. Three-dimensional assessment of lung volume and size is now possible using ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging; however, the use of these techniques is still limited because of unpredictable fetal motion, and such tools have also been inadequately validated in high-risk populations other than those with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The advent of advanced, functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques such as diffusion and T2* imaging, and the development of postprocessing pipelines that facilitate motion correction, have enabled not only more accurate evaluation of pulmonary size, but also assessment of tissue microstructure and perfusion. In the future, fetal magnetic resonance imaging may have an increasing role in the prognostication of pulmonary abnormalities and in monitoring current and future antenatal therapies to enhance lung development. This review aims to examine the current imaging methods available for assessment of antenatal lung development and to outline possible future directions.

Hemothorax From an Anomalous Bronchial Artery Bleed in an Infected Intralobar Pulmonary Sequestration

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital malformation. It represents 0.15-6.4% of all congenital pulmonary malformations. It is characterized by non-functional, dysplastic mass of lung tissue that is not in communication with the normal tracheobronchial tree and is associated with a systemic arterial supply. We report a young gentleman in his mid-thirties who presented with community-acquired pneumonia from an infected intralobar pulmonary sequestration which subsequently developed a hemothorax from an anomalous bronchial artery bleed.

Innovative fetal therapy for a giant congenital pulmonary airway malformation with hydrops

Introduction: Congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAM) complicated by hydrops portends significant morbidity and mortality, with fetal survival estimates less than 10%. Case Presentation: We report successful use of ultrasound-guided radio-frequency ablation at 21 weeks gestation in a hydropic fetus with CPAM, with subsequent resolution of hydrops. 32 week MRI noted persistent mediastinal shift, and US at 36 weeks and 5days noted polyhydramnios. Maternal gestational hypertension prompted delivery at 37 weeks, with cesarean section performed after failed trial of labor. The infant required CPAP at 100% and weaned to 21%. Tachypnea persisted, and chest CT on DOL2 demonstrated multiple large cysts in the right lower lobe with anterior pneumothorax. On DOL3 she successfully underwent a thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy. Adhesions to the chest wall and rib abnormalities were noted. She was extubated to CPAP at the conclusion of the procedure. She was able to wean to 21% on POD2, and transitioned to oral feeds. Her chest tube was removed with resultant ex vacuo pneumothorax noted. She remained asymptomatic and was discharged home on room air POD11. Pathology confirmed a type 1 CPAM. Conclusion: In utero radiofrequency ablation may be an adjunct to the management of large CPAM.

Surgery versus conservative management in congenital lobar emphysema: follow up and indicators for surgery

INTRODUCTION

Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE), a rare developmental lung malformation, involves the hyperaeration of one or more lung lobes caused by partial obstruction and occurs at a rate of 1/20,000-30,000 live births. Here, we aimed to retrospectively examine the clinical, radiological, and bronchoscopy findings of patients with CLE who were diagnosed and treated by surgical or non-surgical (conservative) approaches at our center and compared our results with those in the literature.

METHODS

We examined the clinical, radiological, and bronchoscopy findings of 20 patients with CLE aged 0-18 years at our center between 2013 and 2020. In addition, we examined the symptoms and findings recorded during the patients' follow-up in this retrospective descriptive study.

RESULTS

The median age of 20 patients with CLE at diagnosis was 3.2 years (range 1 day-17 years). Respiratory distress and mediastinal shift were more prominent in patients who underwent surgery, and they were diagnosed at an earlier age compared with patients who were followed up conservatively (p = 0.001, 0.049, 0.001, respectively). Neither the pulmonary lobe involvement nor the bronchoscopy findings were found to be indicative of surgery.

DISCUSSION

We observed that respiratory distress and mediastinal shift were more prominent in patients with a diagnosis of CLE who underwent surgery compared with patients who were conservatively followed up. Moreover, we observed that those who underwent surgery were diagnosed with CLE at an earlier age. In line with the literature, the pulmonary symptoms and CLE-related imaging findings in our study were reduced during conservative follow-up.

Spectrum of congenital lung and foregut malformations: scope for awareness and prompt management—a case series

Congenital lung and foregut malformations have been described in literature, but most articles are from the Western world. There are a separate set of problems which are faced in our country especially with the misdiagnosis of these problems which has not so much been addressed in writing. We retrospectively reviewed records of all patients with above thoracic lesions treated at a tertiary care hospital in Delhi from March 2017 to December 2019. Twenty patients were found. Eight of 20 patients were detected antenatally but none monitored serially. Age at presentation ranged from 5 days to 18 months. Eight patients presented with respiratory distress at birth. Three of these were congenital lobar emphysema wrongly diagnosed as pneumothorax and brought with intercostal drainage tube inserted. Eight suffered from pneumonia, 4 of which had history of previous hospital admission but undetected congenital pathology. All underwent surgery and had good outcome. There was radiological evidence of compensatory lung growth in all patients at 6 months follow-up. Thus, we conclude that the antenatal detection of congenital lung and foregut malformations may have increased but proper serial monitoring is still missing. There is scope of increasing index of suspicion for these lesions among pediatricians and surgeons. With modern-day safe anesthesia, proactive resection of congenital lung and foregut malformations is associated with good outcome. Delaying treatment predisposes the child to infective complications and makes surgery difficult.

Developing Virtual Reality Head Mounted Display (HMD) Set-Up for Thoracoscopic Surgery of Complex Congenital Lung MalFormations in Children

Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been adopted in pediatric age for the treatment of congenital lung malformations (CLM). The success of VATS in pediatrics largely depends on the surgeon's skill ability to understand the airways, vascular system and lung parenchyma anatomy in CLM. In the last years, virtual reality (VR) and 3-dimensional (3D) printing of organ models and VR head mounted display (HMD) technologies have been introduced for completion of preoperative planning in adult patients. To date no reports about the use of VR HMD technologies in a pediatric setting are available. The aim of this report is to introduce a VR HMD model in VATS procedure to improve the quality of care in children with CLM. VR HMD set-up for planning thoracoscopic surgery was performed in a series of pediatric patients with diagnosis of CLM. The preoperative VR HMD evaluation allowed a navigation into the malformation with the aim to explore, interact, and make the surgeon more confident and skilled to answer to the traps. A development of surgical simulations models and teaching program dedicated to education and training in pediatric VATS is suitable among the pediatric surgery community. Further studies should demonstrate all the benefits of such technology in pediatric patients submitted to VATS procedure.

A Novel Approach to Facilitate an Ideal Surgical Correction of Congenital Lobar Emphysema by Using Neonatal Ultrathin Bronchoscopy-Guided Endo-Bronchial Block

This is a case report of a child who had acyanotic congenital heart disease - ventricular septal defect (VSD) and a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. The child underwent open-heart surgery - VSD closure with PDA ligation - and six months later was re-admitted for congenital lobar emphysema of the right middle lobe. He underwent successful right middle lobectomy of the lung six months after cardiac surgery under a one-lung ventilation technique in which application of fiber-optic bronchoscope made the surgery safer and more suitable.

Thoracoscopy versus thoracotomy for congenital lung malformations treatment: A single center experience

INTRODUCTION

Our aim is to compare thoracoscopy to thoracotomy in the treatment of congenital lung malformations (CLM) in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We report a retrospective monocentric cohort study. Patients treated at our Center for CLM (1991-2020) were divided in two groups: patients treated with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and open thoracotomy (OT). Characteristics of the two groups were compared through statistical analysis (GraphPad Prism7). A p value less than .05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

One hundred six patients were included: 58 in VATS group, 48 in OT group. Prenatal diagnosis was possible in 73.6%. The most frequent surgical procedures were lobectomy (43.4%) and sequestrectomy (22.6%). All VATS patients underwent lung exclusion, mostly by endobronchial blocker (69%). Mean operative time was 146.1 min (±52.04 SD) in VATS and 159.2 (±46.53 SD) in OT (p = .1973). Conversion to OT was necessary in 20.6% of VATS patients, but decreased in the last 5 years (6.2%). There were not any intraoperative complication. Respectively in VATS and OT group, length of stay (LOS) was 4.5 days ± 3.6 SD versus 7.7 ± 3.4 SD (p < .0001), chest tube duration 2.8 days ± 3.4 SD versus 3.7 ± 2.4 SD (p < .0001), antibiotic treatment duration 3.7 days ± 4.7 SD versus 5 ± 2.6 SD (p = .1196). Postoperative complications were described in 22.6%. The commonest histological diagnosis (40.6%) was congenital pulmonary airway malformation.

CONCLUSION

VATS resulted a feasible, effective and safe technique. Operative time and postoperative complications were similar in VATS and OT groups. VATS conversion rate decreased in time. VATS had a statistically significant shorter LOS and chest tube duration.

Rare causes of respiratory insufficiency in newborns

Congenital lung masses (CLM) the rare group of causes of acute respiratory insufficiency (RI) in newborns include congenital airway pulmonary malformation (CAPM), congenital overinflation, bronchopulmonary sequestration, and bronchial atresia. The presenting group consists of 13 newborns who were admitted to the Neonatal Department of Intensive Medicine (NDIM) during January 1st 2015-December 31st 2019 (8 males, 5 females, 2 premature/11 term newborns, spontaneous delivery: 2, caesarean section: 11) with positive prenatal diagnosis of CAPM in all cases. In 2 cases prenatal intervention was performed (drainage of the amniotic fluid, attempt of thoracentesis). Signs of acute RI immediately after delivery were seen in 5 newborns. Postnatal echocardiographic investigation confirmed the presence of increased pulmonary pressure in 8 patients, no patient had congenital heart abnormality. A thorax x-ray was positive also in asymptomatic patients. Computed tomography in patients brought detailed information about the position, size and character of CAPM. Six patients underwent surgery. In 15.4 % right lungs were affected by cystic malformation and in 23 % left lungs were affected. A final diagnosis of CAPM was confirmed in 5 patients using histopathologic examination. Multidisciplinary cooperation during prenatal as well as postnatal period is necessary.

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.

Congenital lung abnormality quantification by computed tomography: The CLAQ method

INTRODUCTION

To date, no consensus has been reached on the optimal management of congenital lung abnormalities, and factors predicting postnatal outcome have not been identified. We developed an objective quantitative computed tomography (CT) scoring method, and assessed its value for clinical decision-making.

METHODS

Volumetric CT-scans of all patients born with a congenital lung abnormality between January 1999 and 2018 were assessed. Lung disease was quantified using the newly-developed congenital lung abnormality quantification (CLAQ) scoring method. In 20 equidistant axial slices, cells of a square grid were scored according to the abnormality within. The scored CT parameters were used to predict development of symptoms, and SD scores for spirometry and exercise tolerance (Bruce treadmill test) at 8 years of age.

RESULTS

CT-scans of 124 patients with a median age of 5 months were scored. Clinical diagnoses included congenital pulmonary airway malformation (49%), bronchopulmonary sequestration (27%), congenital lobar overinflation (22%), and bronchogenic cyst (1%). Forty-four patients (35%) developed symptoms requiring surgery of whom 28 (22%) patients became symptomatic before a CT-scan was scheduled. Lesional hyperdensity was found as an important predictor of symptom development and decreased exercise tolerance. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, an optimal cut-off value for developing symptoms was found at 18% total disease.

CONCLUSION

CT-quantification of congenital lung abnormalities using the CLAQ method is an objective and reproducible system to describe congenital lung abnormalities on chest CT. The risk for developing symptoms may increase when more than a single lung lobe is affected.

Surgical outcomes for pediatric congenital lung malformation: 13 years' experience

Background

Congenital lung malformations (CLM) are a gamut of lesions that originate throughout the embryonic period and manifest in the neonatal or sporadically in the prenatal period, characteristically might stay well for some time, to be found inadvertently or to present with complications. In the 13 years from Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2015, this prospective cohort study included consecutive pediatric patients under 12 years old, who presented either emergently or electively with any variety of CLM. The lesions encompassed in this assortment were congenital lobar emphysema (CLE), congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM), bronchogenic cysts (BC), and bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS).

Results

Sixty-eight pediatric patients with CLM were operated at our institution; 18 CPAMs, 22 CLEs, 19 BPSs (17 intralobar and 2 extralobar), and 9 patients with BCs. The patients’ age ranged from 1 to 54 months (mean age of 10.73 ± 9.73 months), with overall male gender predominance (61.76%). Both CLE and CPAM had a male predominance, while BC and BPS had equivocal gender distribution. CLE patients had the earliest presentation at 2.89 ± 1.5 months and congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAM) had the latest presentation at 21.78 ± 15.6 months (F = 15.27, p < 0.0001). Lobectomy was the commonest procedure performed. Fifty-nine lobectomies were performed (21 LUL, 15 RLL, 14 LLL, 8 RUL, and 1 middle lobectomy). Six cystectomies were performed for BC. Twenty-three cases (33.8%) had postoperative complications that were mainly significant or prolonged air leak (13.24%), pneumonia (5.88%), 3 cases of hemothorax (4.4%), pulmonary atelectasis in 2 patients (2.94%), 1 patient developed effusion (1.47%), and there were 2 mortalities.

Conclusions

CLM must be in mind in the differential diagnoses of any case with repeated infection, respiratory distress, or radiological abnormalities. Surgery in the form of lobectomy or lesser resection is generally safe.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s12055-020-00977-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Surgical treatment of pulmonary sequestration in adults and children: long-term results

OBJECTIVES

Few experiences comparing paediatric and adult patients treated for pulmonary sequestration (PS) have been reported. Surgical treatment is considered the best choice, but the time of surgery is still controversial. We present our experience in this setting, comparing characteristics, histological results and outcome of paediatric and adult patients undergoing PS resection.

METHODS

Between 1998 and 2017, a total of 74 patients underwent lobectomy or sublobar resection for PS. Sixty patients were children (group A: ≤16 years old) and 14 were adults (group B: >16 years old). Preoperative diagnosis was radiological. PS was intralobar (42 cases) and extralobar (32 cases). The operation was a muscle-sparing lateral thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Preoperative characteristics, histological results and short-/long-term results of the 2 groups were retrospectively analysed and compared.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven percent of the patients in group A presented with respiratory symptoms and 79% in group B (P = 0.44). Most symptomatic patients were treated with a lobectomy. In group A, 2 patients (3%) had a malignant transformation of the lesion. Patients with a prenatal diagnosis treated after the age of 1 year became more symptomatic than those operated on before the age of 1 year (57% vs 23%; P = 0.08). No differences were found in postoperative complications. Long-term stable remission of respiratory symptoms was obtained in 91% of patients in group A and 100% in group B. Adulthood (P = 0.03) and the association with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (P = 0.03) were negative prognostic factors for the development of respiratory symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical treatment of PS is safe and feasible. Despite the small number of patients included, study results indicated that an early operation during childhood may prevent the subsequent development of respiratory symptoms. Surgical treatment is also recommended to prevent the rare transformation into malignancy.

Congenital lobar emphysema in bilateral lung lobes: a case report

Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is a rare congenital anomaly of lung. It presents different respiratory symptoms due to affected lobar emphysema, compression atelectasis and mediastinal shift. It can affect one or more lobes. There is usually no typical clinical manifestation in clinic. Typical X-ray can help to diagnose. We report a case of neonatal CLE, which first appeared in the right middle lobar. After right middle lobe (RML) lobectomy, respiratory distress appeared again. Emphysema was found again in the left lower lung. The multiple lobes emphysema appear at different times, and this case occurred after lobectomy.

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.

Superior Mediastinal Mass Revealed as Bronchopulmonary Sequestration Supplied by a Branch of the Left Pulmonary Artery

Bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) is a rare congenital abnormality of the lower airway, generally characterized by blood supply received from the systemic circulation. We present a rare case of a 19-year-old man with incidentally detected BPS supplied by a branch of a pulmonary artery, rather than a systemic artery. Computed tomography showed a sequestered segment supplied by a branch of the left pulmonary artery and containing an ectopic bronchus. As chest computed tomography revealed necrosis in the sequestered tissue, infection was presumed, and the tissue was surgically removed. This may represent a very unusual occurrence, as such cases have yet to be reported in the literature.

Incidence of congenital thoracic malformations detected by prenatal ultrasound

BACKGROUND

The increased and earlier use of prenatal ultrasound has facilitated the detection of congenital thoracic malformations (CTMs). Our Pediatric Pulmonology Institute follows an increasing number of patients with CTMs. Thus, we aimed to evaluate and describe prenatal sonographic findings of CTM, and to estimate changes in detection rates of CTMs over a period of 16 years.

METHODS

A retrospective, cross-section analysis of prenatal ultrasound (US) screening tests carried out in a large community-based clinic, comparing two periods: 2001-2007 and 2007-2017.

RESULTS

A total of 34 716 prenatal US were performed at a median gestational age of 15.4 weeks (range, 11.6-23.9) and 15.7 weeks (range, 12-33.6) in 2001-2007 and 2007-2017, respectively. In 2001-2007, 12 016 prenatal US tests detected 19 CTMs, compared to 30 CTMs in 22 700 tests in 2007-2017. Detection rates did not change (1.58/1,000 in 2001-2007 versus 1.32/1,000 in 2007-2017, P = 0.64). The most common abnormality was congenital pleural effusion (CPE) (17 cases, 34.7%), followed by congenital pulmonary airway malformation) and congenital diaphragmatic hernia; 13 cases each, 26.5%. Twenty CTMs, mainly congenital diaphragmatic hernia and CPE, were associated with other fetal lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia and CPE tend to appear with multiple lesions and warrant further attention. The incidence rates stayed stable when comparing the last decade to previous years. Thus, the increased referral of CTM can be attributed to an increase in the number of prenatal screening studies performed, rather than a true higher incidence.

Concurrence of Two Rare Conditions: Simultaneous Bilateral Spontaneous Pneumothorax and Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation

Simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax (SBSP) is a very rare type of pneumothorax. Most reported cases are associated with underlying lung diseases. In a small number of pediatric studies, SBSP was found to be associated with human bocavirus bronchiolitis, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. The present work examines an interesting case of type 2 congenital pulmonary airway malformation presenting with SBSP and bilateral multiple parenchymal cysts.

Congenital lobar emphysema: diagnosis and treatment options

Although congenital lobar emphysema is a rare lung disease, it can cause severe respiratory distress in the newborn. Lobectomy can be difficult because of the hyperinflated lobe and limited space to carry out surgery. During the past two decades, conservative treatment options have increased for patients with mild and moderate disease.

Early sonographic manifestation of fetal congenital lobar emphysema

Advanced fetal sonographic equipment has contributed to the increase in prenatal diagnosis of congenital thoracic malformations. Among these anomalies is congenital lobar emphysema (CLE), a rare congenital anomaly characterized by over distention and overexpansion of the involved fetal pulmonary lobe. Several studies addressed the prenatal diagnosis of CLE in mid second or early third trimester. The early prenatal diagnosis and the outcome of a case of CLE are reported in this study.

Congenital Lung Malformations: Unresolved Issues and Unanswered Questions

Advances in prenatal and postnatal diagnosis, perioperative management, and postoperative care have dramatically increased the number of scientific reports on congenital thoracic malformations (CTM). Nearly all CTM are detected prior to birth, generally by antenatal ultrasound. After delivery, most infants do well and remain asymptomatic for a long time. However, complications may occur beyond infancy, including in adolescence and adulthood. Prenatal diagnosis is sometimes missed and detection may occur later, either by chance or because of unexplained recurrent or persistent respiratory symptoms or signs, with difficult implications for family counseling and substantial delay in surgical planning. Although landmark studies have been published, postnatal management of asymptomatic children is still controversial and needs a resolution. Our aim is to provide a focused overview on a number of unresolved issues arising from the lack of an evidence-based consensus on the management of patients with CTM. We summarized findings from current literature, with a particular emphasis on the vigorous controversies on the type and timing of diagnostic procedures, treatments and the still obscure relationship between CTM and malignancies, a matter of great concern for both families and physicians. We also present an algorithm for the assessment and follow-up of CTM detected either in the antenatal or postnatal period. A standardized approach across Europe, based on a multidisciplinary team, is urgently needed for achieving an evidence-based management protocol for CTM.

PREVALENCE OF CONGENITAL ANOMALIES AND THEIR ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN NEWBORNS IN THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO FROM 2010 TO 2014

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence of congenital anomalies in newborns in the city of São Paulo from 2010 to 2014, as well as to analyze other variables associated with the anomalies.

METHODS

Data was collected from the Ministry of Health's Live Births Information System (SINASC) from 2010 to 2014 in São Paulo City. The variables analyzed were length and type of pregnancy, maternal age, and ethnicity and sex of the newborn. The absolute and relative frequencies of congenital anomalies were verified, and the variables associated with them were calculated with the odds ratio (OR) and a 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

A total of 819,018 live births occurred in the city of São Paulo, and in 14,657 (1.6%) of them, some congenital anomaly was reported. The most frequent congenital anomalies found were those related to osteoarticular system followed by those related to the cardiovascular system. Risks associated with the presence of congenital anomalies were observed in the following factors: maternal age over 40 years (OR=1.59; 95%CI 1.47-1.71), multiple pregnancies (OR=1.28; 95%CI 1.19-3.77), and low birth weight (OR=3.35; 95%CI 3.21-3.49). The female gender was considered a protective variable (OR=0.78; 95%CI 0.75-0.81).

CONCLUSIONS

Congenital anomalies are responsible for morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period. Their early diagnosis is important for planning and resource allocation of specialized health services directed toward the families and infants.

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a developmental malformation of the lower respiratory tract. We report the case of a male newborn diagnosed with cystic lung disease during prenatal ultrasound. A cesarean section was performed at the 32nd gestational week because of premature rupture of the membranes, and soon after the delivery the newborn developed respiratory failure and died. The aim of this study is to report an autopsy case because of its rarity, and to briefly discuss the CPAM subtypes and differential diagnosis of cystic lung diseases of childhood.

A rare case of intralobar pulmonary sequestration: combined endovascular and video-assisted thoracoscopic approach

Pulmonary sequestration is a congenital malformation characterized by cystic, non-functioning embryonic lung tissue supplied by an abnormal systemic artery. It's a rare disease widely variable in clinical presentation and severity, depending mostly on the degree of lung involvement and location in the thoracic cavity. Most patients have recurrent infections and inflammatory conditions in the affected lobe. Surgical resection continues to be the gold standard of therapy and in this context anatomical resection is the procedure of choice and yields excellent long-term results. There are few studies reporting the use of combined endovascular and thoracoscopic approaches for pulmonary sequestration. We describe a case of intralobar pulmonary sequestration located in the lower lobe of the right lung, which was treated with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) after endovascular embolization of systemic artery arising from celiac trunk.

Early prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of congenital thoracic malformations

Objectives: To evaluate and describe the spectrum and rate of congenital thoracic malformations (CTMs) diagnosed by early prenatal sonography (gestational age (GA) less than 16 weeks). Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of prenatal ultrasound screening tests in a community-based clinic. Results: In 2001-2017, 31 261 prenatal ultrasound tests detected 31 CTMs at a gestational age of 15.2 (range, 11.6-16.0) weeks. The most common malformation was congenital pleural effusion (CPE) (15 fetuses, 0.48/1000), followed by congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) (10 fetuses, 0.32/1000). Pulmonary hypoplasia (PH), congenital pulmonary airway malformation and broncho-pulmonary sequestration appeared in much smaller proportions (three, two and one fetuses, respectively). Most CTMs were associated with additional fetal lesions (15 fetuses, 48%). All early CDH (10 fetuses) and PH (three fetuses) and 6/15 with CPE had termination of pregnancy or missed abortions. Conclusions: Prenatal ultrasound before 16 GA was able to detect CTMs in 0.99/1000 of screening ultrasound (US) performed. Most CTMs tended to appear with multiple lesions and were associated with unfavorable outcomes. Earlier prenatal diagnosis may enable early termination of pregnancy in fetuses with lethal malformations.

Systemic Venous Drainage Is Associated with an Unfavorable Prenatal Behavior in Fetal Bronchopulmonary Sequestration

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the significance of the venous drainage pattern of bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) in the prenatal course.

METHODS

The venous drainage pattern of fetuses with BPS was determined with high-definition flow and confirmed by postnatal three-dimensional computed tomography angiography scan or autopsy. The volume of BPS lesions during gestation was recorded by the three-dimensional ultrasonographic Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis software. The relationship between venous drainage pattern and prenatal characteristics was determined.

RESULTS

Seventy-one fetuses were enrolled: 35 with systemic venous drainage (SVD) and 36 with pulmonary venous drainage (PVD). The volumes of BPS lesions significantly increased from the middle second trimester to the later second trimester in the SVD group. A marked decrease from the later second trimester to the third trimester was observed in the PVD group. The incidences of associated anomalies, hydrops, and polyhydramnios in the SVD group were 14.2, 23.3, and 33.3%, respectively, significantly higher than those in the PVD group (0, 0, and 5.6%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that SVD is correlated with a higher risk of associated anomalies and an unfavorable prenatal course in fetal BPS. Identification of the venous drainage pattern is of clinical significance in predicting the prenatal behavior of fetal BPS.

Case report: Pulmonary sequestration in an adult

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital malformation that is uncommonly diagnosed during adulthood. Pulmonary sequestrations can manifest with variable presentations. It can remain asymptomatic or present with more severe symptoms such as hemoptysis and recurrent pneumonia. Diagnosis can be confirmed with computed tomography angiogram or angiography. Treatment with embolization of the afferent artery and surgical removal of the pulmonary sequestration generally has good outcomes. We report a case of a 43-year-old man who presented with recurrent pneumonia and left-sided back pain and was eventually diagnosed with pulmonary sequestration.

Prenatal diagnosis, 3-D virtual rendering and lung sparing surgery by ligasure device in a baby with "CCAM and intralobar pulmonary sequestration"

Congenital cystic lung lesions are a rare but clinically significant group of anomalies, including congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM), pulmonary sequestration, congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) and bronchogenic cysts. Despite the knowledge of these lesions increasing in the last years, some aspects are still debated and controversial. The diagnosis is certainly one aspect which underwent many changes in the last 15 years due to the improvement of antenatal scan and the introduction of 3-D reconstruction techniques. As it is known, a prompt diagnosis has an essential role in the management of these children. The new imaging studies as 3D Volume rendering system are the focus of this paper. We describe our preliminary experience in a case of hybrid lung lesion, which we approached by thoracoscopy after a preoperative study with 3D VR reconstruction. Our final balance is absolutely positive.

Left Upper Lobectomy for Congenital Lobar Emphysema in a Low Weight Infant

Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is a rare lung congenital malformation. Differential diagnosis of the disease remains challenging in an infant with acute respiratory distress. We report a case of a 3-week-old female infant with a weight of 2.1 kg who presented respiratory distress related to CLE. Left upper lobectomy was performed and she had an uneventful recovery.