Intralobar bronchopulmonary sequestration in the newborn--a congenital malformation

Abstract

Background: Intralobar sequestration (ILS) has been suggested to be an acquired lesion. However, we have observed several young infants who had ILS.

Objectives: Since this fact seems to indicate a congenital origin, we reviewed our experience.

Material and methods: A retrospective review of bronchopulmonary sequestration from the Departments of Radiology and Pathology in Lund between 1964 and 1997.

Results: We identified seven infants or young children with a diagnosis of intralobar sequestration. In each patient, the ILS was present before recurrent infection developed. Five had chest X-rays as neonates, one at 3 months and one at 11 months of age. All but one showed an abnormality on their first chest X-ray, consistent with sequestration. Six of the ILS were verified at angiography; all seven were surgically removed. Two of the children with ILS also had congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM). Three children had both ILS and scimitar syndrome.

Conclusions: The fact that ILS was present in seven newborn and young infants indicates that this lesion is, at least in some patients, a congenital malformation.