Bronchial atresia

Abstract

Bronchial atresia is a rare congenital anomaly usually producing an extrahilar mass and associated distal hyperinflation on chest roentogenogram. Bronchography reveals nonfilling of the atretic bronchus and displacement of neighboring normal bronchi. Characteristically, the patient is young and asymptomatic but has an abnormal chest roentgenogram. The only physical finding may be decreased breath sounds over the affected parenchyma. Treatment is surgical excision to prevent recurrent or persistent infection and encroachment on normal tissues by the hyperinflated lung. A case report and a review of 34 patients are presented.