Type 1 pleuropulmonary blastoma in a 3-year-old male with a cystic lung mass

A pleuropulmonary blastoma type III in a 4-month-old infant: First case report in Syria

INTRODUCTION

Pleuropulmonary blastoma is a rare, aggressive intrathoracic neoplasm of early childhood.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of a 4-month-old male baby who has presented with recurrent respiratory infections since birth. A surgical team was consulted due to abnormal opacification observed on a chest X-ray. An enhanced-contrast CT scan of the chest revealed a heterogenous, well-delineated mass measuring about 3,8 × 6 cm in the posterior mediastinum. A left posterolateral thoracotomy was performed. The mass was separated from the lung parenchyma, located behind the parietal pleura, and adherent to the chest wall and superior ribs. The lesion was totally removed. Histologically, the lesion was a pleuropulmonary blastoma type III. Currently, the patient is on a 6-month course of chemotherapy.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

The aggressive, insidious behavior of PPB requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. The clinical manifestations and imaging modalities are atypical and nonspecific. However, PPB should be kept in mind when a huge solid or cystic mass is observed in the lung field on imaging.

CONCLUSION

Extrapulmonary pleuropulmonary blastoma is a very rare entity characterized by highly aggressive behavior and a poor prognosis. Early excision of thoracic cystic lesions in children is warranted regardless of the symptoms to avoid future mishaps.

The argument for a non-operative approach to asymptomatic lung lesions

The controversy surrounding the management of congenital lung malformations (CLMs) centre on how best to manage the increasing population of asymptomatic antenatally detected infants. Should elective surgery be offered? Or is a "watch-and-wait" policy safe? This will be addressed in this review by examining the reported complications of surgery, the risk of symptom development if lesions are left in situ and whether this may alter surgical outcomes, and importantly whether there is any long-term risk of malignancy that can be negated by surgical resection in infancy.

Thoracoscopic lobectomy for type I pleuropulmonary blastoma in an infant

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare, aggressive, intrathoracic mesenchymal neoplasm associated with cystic lung lesions. The authors describe an 8-month-old male who underwent thoracoscopic left upper lobectomy for a cystic lung lesion initially diagnosed as congenital pulmonary airway malformation. Pathology revealed type I PPB.

Congenital lung lesions

Confusion, controversy, and uncertainty are all terms applicable to the diagnosis and management of congenital lung lesions both prenatally and postnatally. This review examines the current status of fetal diagnosis and treatment of these lesions; reviews the various classifications, including congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation/congenital pulmonary airway malformation, sequestrations, variants and hybrid lesions; discusses the risk of malignant transformation or misdiagnosis with pleuropulmonary blastoma; presents the arguments in favor and against resection of asymptomatic lesions, the timing of such resection, and the long-term pulmonary function after resection; and reviews the experience with thoracoscopic resection of congenital lung lesions.

Pleuropulmonary blastoma in an infant

Pleuropulmonary blastomas (PPB) are rare and highly aggressive tumors. Herein, we report an infantile case of type III PPB. A 9-mth-old boy presented to our unit with a history of cough and tachypnea for 2 days. Chest computed tomography revealed a mass in the left upper lobe, emphysema in the left upper lung, and mediastinum and heart shifted towards the right. The mass was removed completely by left upper lobectomy and histology confirmed diagnosis of type III PPB. The immature blastematous tissue was positive for vimentin while benign epithelium was positive for epithelial membrane antigen and cytokeratin. No lymph nodule metastasis was found in the 7 lymph nodules obtained from the hilum of the lung near the tumor. Currently, the patient is under close follow-up and is doing well.

Pleuropulmonary blastoma

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a dysontogenetic neoplasm of childhood that involves lung and/or pleura. There is an increased incidence of neoplasias and dysplasias among young relatives of children with PPB. Pathophysiologically, PPB evolves from a cystic to solid state over time. It is subclassified as type I (purely cystic), type II (both cystic and solid elements), and type III (completely solid). Type II and type III may be associated with metastasis, with the brain being the most common metastatic site. The absence of epithelial malignancy in PPB is a feature that distinguishes it from the adult-type pulmonary blastoma. The clinical presentation includes signs and symptoms associated with various respiratory disorders. To make a definitive diagnosis of PPB, an examination of the cystic fluid or solid tumor is required. Treatment for PPB consists primarily of surgery and chemotherapy. Nursing care is directed toward maintaining normal respiratory and neurological function, maintaining normal fluid and electrolyte balance, minimizing side effects associated with treatment, and providing education for the family.