Antenatally Detected Thoracic Lesions: Prognosis, Management and Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Foetal thoracic lesions are uncommon, with the incidence of 1 in 15,000 live births. Antenatal monitoring of these lesions is required to prognosticate the parents about the postnatal outcome of the lesions and about the well-being of the baby. Foetal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the modalities to detect these lesions and follow-up during pregnancy and postnatally. Congenital pulmonary adenomatoid malformations (CPAM), congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and bronchopulmonary sequestrations (BPS) are the commonly detected foetal thoracic lesions. Parameters such as congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) volume ratio (CVR) and lung-to-head ratio (LHR) determine the prognosis of these lesions. With this background, we planned to study the prognosis and outcome of antenatally detected thoracic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study carried out for 2 years (January 2017 to December 2018). Pregnant females with foetuses diagnosed to have thoracic lesions on the second- and third-trimester ultrasound and foetal MRI were enrolled for the study. CVR and LHR were noted. Outcomes were analysed in terms of the need of termination of pregnancy, foetal or neonatal demise and need of surgery or conservative management. RESULTS: Of a total of 521 pregnancies, thoracic lesions were detected in 22 (4.22%) cases. Individually, the incidence of each lesion was: CPAM-10 (45.45%), BPS-5 (22.73%), CDH-5 (22.73%) and congenital higher airway obstruction-2 (9.1%). Chromosomal screening was normal in 100% of cases. Follow-up was done for 2 years. Termination of pregnancy was required in 3 (13.64%) cases, postnatal death occurred in 4 (18.2%) cases, surgery was required in three cases of CDH soon after birth and two cases of extralobar BPS at 2 years of age. 10 (45.45%) cases were managed conservatively, who are doing well at 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: CPAMs, BPSs and CDH are the commonly detected antenatal thoracic lesions. Ultrasonography and MRI help detect and prognosticate the parents about the outcomes of these lesions. CVR and LHR with associated congenital malformations are important prognostic markers for these lesions. There is a need of long-term prospective studies to delineate the natural history of these lesions.

[The Successful Reduction of Resected Lung Volume for Intralobar Pulmonary Sequestration with Infrared Thoracoscope].

A 59-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital for further examinations and treatment due to an abnormal shadow detected in his left lower lung lobe on computed tomography. The patient was diagnosed with intralobar pulmonary sequestration and scheduled for an operation. During the surgery, after resection of the aberrant artery, indocyanine green was intravenously injected, and the border between normal lung and sequestrated lung was clearly identified by an infrared thoracoscope. Subsequently, wedge resection was performed, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 5. Spirometry performed 6 months after the surgery indicated that the patient's lung function was well-preserved compared to the preoperative status.

Pulmonary sequestration in adulthood: clinical-morphological study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate pulmonary sequestration (PS). We report on location, blood supply, histology, clinical manifestation, and surgical treatment of PS, as well as on postoperative course in patients with PS. BACKGROUND: PS is a rare congenital defect of the lower respiratory tract, it represents locus minoris resistentiae of the body. Occasionally, PS is diagnosed for the first time in adulthood. METHODS: We evaluated 7 cases of PS treated at the Centre of Thoracic Surgery in Vysné Hágy, Slovakia, between years 2013 and 2020. RESULTS: Four of our seven patients were asymptomatic; the PS was found incidentally upon chest imaging. Three patients had recurrent bronchopneumonia related specifically to the intralobar type of sequestration. The most significant complication, observed in a singular patient, was a life-threatening episode of haemoptysis, requiring urgent surgical intervention. In the other 6 cases, the sequestra were surgically resected during the period when they were asymptomatic. and their sputum was confirmed negative upon microbiological examination. Anatomical resection of the affected pulmonary lobe by thoracotomy was the most common type of operation performed (4 cases, n = 7). There was no surgical mortality. CONCLUSION: To prevent complications, it is crucial to perform surgical treatment for pulmonary sequestration in patients who have sufficient functional capacity (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 30). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: pulmonary sequestration, anatomic lobectomy, haemoptysis.

[Right upper lobe pulmonary sequestration as a rare cause of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax]. / Sekvestratsiya verkhnei doli pravogo legkogo ­ redkaya prichina pravostoronnego retsidiviruyushchego spontannogo pnevmotoraksa.

A 19-year-old patient after previous wedge resection of the right upper pulmonary lobe a year ago urgently admitted with recurrent right-sided spontaneous pneumothorax. According to standard management of spontaneous pneumothorax, we performed diagnostic thoracoscopy and drainage of the right pleural cavity with regular X-ray examinations. However, these measures were ineffective. The patient was scheduled for surgery, and we intraoperatively observed an unusual cause of pneumothorax. Thus, we present spontaneous pneumothorax following right upper lobe pulmonary sequestration. The uniqueness of this case is associated with unusual manifestation and non-standard localization of rare lesion. A few cases of pneumothorax in similar patients are described in the world literature. The key limiting factor in diagnosis of such defects (identification of aberrant vessel supplying abnormal lung parenchyma) is the lack of routine CT angiography in patients diagnosed with pneumothorax. That is why CT changes were interpreted as postoperative ones, and the true cause was established only during redo surgery. A thorough inspection of the pleural cavity and alertness regarding unusual appearance of the right upper pulmonary lobe made it possible to suggest a non-standard diagnosis, avoid complications (bleeding from afferent vessel) and perform adequate lung resection.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia with associated broncho-pulmonary sequestration: A report of two cases and a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a severe congenital anomaly with significant morbidity and mortality. It can be isolated or can be associated with other congenital anomalies, including broncho-pulmonary sequestration (BPS). The association of CDH with BPS (CDH+BPS) is uncommon but has been previously reported, and it can complicate the course of the disease in patients with CDH. We report two cases of CDH+BPS that were recently treated at our CDH-Qatar (CDH-Q) program. METHODS: We reviewed CDH-Q program registry to search for CDH+BPS and extracted the data for the identified cases. We also reviewed the previously published literature available on PubMed for similar cases. RESULTS: Out of 53 cases of CDH referred to CDH-Q from January 2018 to December 2022, two cases of CDH+BPS were identified, with an estimated prevalence of 3.8% of this association in our CDH population. Both cases were born at term. Case 1 was diagnosed with CDH+BPS postnatally, while case 2 was diagnosed with CDH antenatally but BPS was diagnosed after birth. Both cases underwent a surgical repair of the CDH with resection of the associated BPS, and the histopathology of the resected lung tissue confirmed the presence of BPS in both. Both cases survived to discharge. CONCLUSION: The association of CDH+BPS is uncommon; however, it can have significant consequences on the management and the prognosis of patients with CDH. Reporting these cases is important to provide a better understanding of this association and its impact on CDH patients.

Bilateral pulmonary sequestrations: Distinct types sharing a common celiac artery origin, presented with pneumonia and associated findings in a pediatric case.

A 14-year-old boy presented with shortness of breath, cough, and mild chest pain, with a history of intermittent milder symptoms. Physical examination and initial tests showed mild iron deficiency anemia, elevated C-reactive protein, and normal vital signs. Chest radiograph revealed abnormalities in the left lower zone, leading to contrast-enhanced chest CT. The CT scan revealed bilateral intrapulmonary sequestrations, both deriving blood supply from a common trunk originating from the celiac artery. The patient's symptoms initially attributed to a pulmonary infection improved with antibiotic therapy. Pulmonary sequestration is a congenital anomaly characterized by aberrant lung tissue lacking connections to bronchial tree or pulmonary arteries. It can lead to recurrent pulmonary infections and postinfectious sequelae. This case presented a unique bilateral sequestration, both originating from the celiac artery. Radiologists should be aware of sequestration types and associated anomalies, even in atypical locations. Blood supply can originate from various arteries, not just the aorta.

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.

Congenital lung malformations.

Congenital lung malformations (CLMs) are rare developmental anomalies of the lung, including congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAM), bronchopulmonary sequestration, congenital lobar overinflation, bronchogenic cyst and isolated congenital bronchial atresia. CLMs occur in 4 out of 10,000 live births. Postnatal presentation ranges from an asymptomatic infant to respiratory failure. CLMs are typically diagnosed with antenatal ultrasonography and confirmed by chest CT angiography in the first few months of life. Although surgical treatment is the gold standard for symptomatic CLMs, a consensus on asymptomatic cases has not been reached. Resection, either thoracoscopically or through thoracotomy, minimizes the risk of local morbidity, including recurrent infections and pneumothorax, and avoids the risk of malignancies that have been associated with CPAM, bronchopulmonary sequestration and bronchogenic cyst. However, some surgeons suggest expectant management as the incidence of adverse outcomes, including malignancy, remains unknown. In either case, a planned follow-up and a proper transition to adult care are needed. The biological mechanisms through which some CLMs may trigger malignant transformation are under investigation. KRAS has already been confirmed to be somatically mutated in CPAM and other genetic susceptibilities linked to tumour development have been explored. By summarizing current progress in CLM diagnosis, management and molecular understanding we hope to highlight open questions that require urgent attention.

Congenital pulmonary malformations in children in a pediatric hospital in Peru, 2010-2020.

BACKGROUND: Congenital pulmonary malformations (CPMs) are rare in children. This study aimed to describe the clinical, imaging characteristics, and treatment of patients with this pathology. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive and retrospective study with data from patients with CPMs diagnosed at Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño-Breña (Lima-Peru), from January 2010 to December 2020. We described CPM clinical and imaging characteristics, type and treatment. RESULTS: The sample was formed of 70 patients. The median age was 29 months (range 15 days-14 years) and the male/female ratio was 1.4. The chest tomography found parenchymal involvement in 50 (71.4%) cases and mixed involvement (parenchymal and vascular) in 18 (25.7%) cases. Congenital malformation of the pulmonary airway was present in 39 (55.7%) cases, followed by bronchogenic cyst in 10 (14.3%), intralobar pulmonary sequestration in 9 (12.9%), and extralobar pulmonary sequestration in 7 (10%). Lobectomy was performed in 61 (87.1%) cases, cystectomy in 5 (7.1%), segmentectomy in 2 (2.9%), and embolization in 2 (2.9%). The most frequent post-operative complication was pneumonia, found in 9 (12.9%) cases. The median hospital stay was 26 days. No patient died during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: In our institution, the most frequent CPM was congenital malformation of the pulmonary airway, and lobectomy was the most frequently performed surgical procedure. CPMs represent a diverse group of disorders of lung development with varied imaging patterns and clinical manifestations.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las malformaciones pulmonares congénitas son poco frecuentes en niños. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las características clínicas, imagenológicas y tratamiento de los pacientes con esta patología. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo con datos de los pacientes con malformaciones pulmonares congénitas diagnosticados en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño-Breña (Lima-Perú) entre enero 2010 y diciembre 2020. Se describieron las características clínicas, imagenológicas, el tipo de malformación pulmonar congénita y el tratamiento. RESULTADOS: La muestra fue de 70 pacientes. La mediana de edad fue 29 meses, la relación masculino/femenino fue 1.4. En la tomografía de tórax se encontró compromiso parenquimal en 50 (71.4%) casos, y compromiso mixto (parenquimal y vascular) en 18 (25.7%). La malformación congénita de la vía aérea pulmonar se observó en 39 (55.7%) casos, seguida del quiste broncogénico en 10 (14.3%), secuestro pulmonar intralobar en 9 (12.9%) y secuestro pulmonar extralobar en 7 (10%). La lobectomía fue realizada en 61 (87.1%) casos, la quistectomía en 5 (7.1%), segmentectomía en 2 (2.9%) y embolización en 2 (2.9%). La complicación posquirúrgica más frecuente fue la neumonía en 9 (12.9%) casos. La mediana de estancia hospitalaria fue de 26 días. Ningún paciente falleció durante la hospitalización. CONCLUSIONES: En nuestra institución, la malformación pulmonar congénita más frecuente fue la malformación congénita de la vía aérea pulmonar, y la lobectomía el procedimiento quirúrgico más comúnmente realizado. Las malformaciones pulmonares congénitas representan un grupo diverso de trastornos del desarrollo pulmonar con variados patrones imagenológicos y manifestaciones clínicas.

Unravelling the mystery of a rare infection: a challenging case of pulmonary sequestration with Mycobacterium avium complex and the importance of a thorough microbiological investigation.

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital condition. It is a dysplastic lung tissue with a separate systemic blood supply and without a bronchial tree connection. The emergence of a superimposed infection can lead to its diagnosis, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Nocardia asteroids and Aspergillus sp pneumonia. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) superimposed disease is exceedingly rare. We report a case of a man in his third decade without known medical disorders presenting with a persistent cough. After an extensive microbiological workup, an MAC infection was diagnosed. An elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) was also noted. He was treated with antimycobacterial therapy and lobectomy resulting in clinical improvement and CA19-9 normalisation. This case illustrates the value of comprehensive microbiological investigations in patients with chronic respiratory symptoms and imaging findings that are not typical of bacterial pneumonia. Clinical studies remain needed to investigate the utility of CA 19-9 in a scoring system to guide MAC therapy.

Imaging and pathological characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of pulmonary sequestration-A retrospective study of 13 cases.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to summarize and analyze the characteristics of pulmonary sequestration to improve our understanding of this disease. METHODS: Between January 2019 and April 2023, the clinical data of 13 patients with pulmonary sequestration underwent surgical treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University. RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio was 4:9, the age was 0.5 to 60 years, and the average age was 38 ± 19 years. There were 10 and 3 cases of intralobar and extralobar pulmonary sequestration, respectively. Chest enhanced computed tomography (CT) and three-dimensional vascular reconstruction showed that the abnormal blood vessels were derived from the descending thoracic aorta in nine cases and from other blood vessels in four cases. Three patients underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy, two underwent thoracoscopic segmentectomy, and eight underwent thoracoscopic wedge resection. All the patients successfully completed the surgery and were discharged postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Some patients with pulmonary sequestration exhibit no obvious symptoms. Patients with clinical symptoms are easily confused for pneumonia, bronchial cysts, lung abscesses, and lung tumors; therefore, patients with pulmonary sequestration are prone to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. Currently, enhanced chest CT combined with three-dimensional vascular reconstruction can accurately show the course, branches, and relationship with the mass of the feeding artery. Routine pathological examination is helpful to further clarify the diagnosis of pulmonary sequestration. Minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery is the preferred treatment for patients with pulmonary sequestration. Surgical resection is safe and feasible, and satisfactory results are typically obtained.

Robotic-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy for synchronous pulmonary sequestration and adenocarcinoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary sequestration (PS) is a congenital pulmonary malformation. Adenocarcinoma arising in PS is extremely rare. METHODS AND RESULTS: We present the first reported case of synchronous intralobar PS and lung adenocarcinoma in the right lower lobe, which was successfully treated using robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS). The robotic system allowed for easy identification, clipping, and dissection of the abnormal artery, highlighting its benefits over traditional surgical approaches. CONCLUSIONS: This case underscores the importance of considering the possibility of coexisting lung cancer in patients with a clinical diagnosis of PS and demonstrates the safety and efficacy of RATS in managing this rare condition.

Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformations With a Reconsideration and Current Perspective on the Stocker Classification.

Congenital cystic pulmonary lesions (CCPLs) are represented by the following entities: congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM), formerly congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, extra- and intralobar sequestration (EIS), congenital lobar emphysema (overexpansion), and bronchogenic cyst. The developmental model of CPAM histogenesis by Stocker proposed perturbations designated as CPAM type 0 to type 4 without known or specific pathogenetic mechanisms along the airway from the bronchus to the alveolus. This review highlights mutational events either at the somatic level in KRAS (CPAM types 1 and possibly 3) or germline variants in congenital acinar dysplasia, formerly CPAM type 0, and pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB), type I, formerly CPAM type 4. The potential for overt malignant progression exists in the case of PPB type I and CPAM type 1 in some cases to well-differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma. On the other hand, CPAM type 2 is an acquired lesion resulting from interruption in lung development secondary to bronchial atresia. The latter is also regarded as the etiology of EIS whose pathologic features are similar, if not identical, to CPAM type 2. These observations have provided important insights into the pathogenetic mechanisms in the development of the CPAMs since the Stocker classification.

The upper airway parameters: the potential diagnostic clues for congenital intrathoracic lesions.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of congenital intrathoracic lesions still has limitations. The airway development was influenced by intrathoracic factors. Whether the diagnostic value of the upper airway parameters in congenital intrathoracic lesions has not been confirmed. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare fetal upper airway parameters between normal fetuses and fetuses with intrathoracic lesions, and we tried to verify its diagnostic value in intrathoracic lesions. METHODS: This was an observational case-control study. In the control group, 77 women were screened at 20-24 weeks' gestational age, 23 were screened at 24-28 weeks' gestational age, and 27 were screened at 28-34 weeks' gestational age. In the case group, 41 cases were enrolled (6 cases of intrathoracic bronchopulmonary sequestration, 22 of congenital pulmonary airway malformations, and 13 of congenital diaphragmatic hernia). Fetal upper airway parameters (tracheal width, the narrowest lumen width, and width of the subglottic cavity and laryngeal vestibule) were measured using ultrasound equipment. The correlations between fetal upper airway parameters and gestational age, and the differences in fetal upper airway parameters between cases and controls, were analyzed. The standardized airway paraments were acquired, and their potential diagnostic value for congenital intrathoracic lesions were analyzed. RESULTS: The fetal upper airway parameters of both groups were positively correlated with the gestational age: The control group, tracheal width (R2 = 0.569, p < 0.001), narrowest lumen width (R2 = 0.429, p < 0.001), subglottic cavity width (R2 = 0.551, p < 0.001), laryngeal vestibule width (R2 = 0.349, p < 0.001). The case group (tracheal width R2 = 0.474, p < 0.001) narrowest lumen width (R2 = 0.425, p < 0.001), subglottic cavity width (R2 = 0.623, p < 0.001), laryngeal vestibule width (R2 = 0.347, p < 0.001). Fetal upper airway parameters of the cases group were smaller than those of the controls group. The tracheal width in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia was the smallest among the other case groups studied. The standardized tracheal width has the best diagnostic value for congenital intrathoracic lesions in the standardized airway paraments (the area under the ROC curve was 0.894), and has a high diagnostic value for congenital pulmonary airway malformations and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (the area under the ROC curve was 0.911 and 0.992, respectively). CONCLUSION: Fetal upper airway parameters differ between normal fetuses and fetuses with intrathoracic lesions, and might offer potential diagnostic clues for congenital intrathoracic lesions.