Bilateral pulmonary agenesis

Bilateral pulmonary agenesis: prenatal sonographic appearance simulates diaphragmatic hernia

Bilateral pulmonary agenesis (BPA) is a rare pathologic condition characterized by the complete absence of lung tissue. The few cases that have been presented in the literature have emphasized the pathologic features of the condition as seen in gross and microscopic evaluation of the fetus or neonate. This report describes the prenatal sonographic appearance of this rare congenital anomaly. Our report illustrates the need to consider the diagnosis of BPA when a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is suspected.

Bilateral agenesis/aplasia of the lungs: report of a second case in the offspring of one woman

Congenital absence of both lungs is an extremely rare malformation in humans and is thought to occur sporadically. We report the second case of congenital absence of both lungs in the offspring of one woman. In neither case, one female baby (born at term) and one aborted female fetus (21 weeks of gestation), were anomalies or malformations of other organ systems observed. The karyotype of the aborted fetus was 46,XX. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing bilateral pulmonary agenesis in two offspring of one mother. The repetition of virtually the same isolated abnormality with no other malformations supports the hypothesis that it could be caused by a genetic disorder. Other etiologies previously suggested, such as drugs or viruses, cannot be excluded but seem less likely.

Pulmonary agenesis association with nonimmune hydrops

Bilateral pulmonary agenesis is a rare malformation with 13 cases previously reported. To our knowledge, none of these cases have been associated with hydrops fetalis. We report a 36 weeks, hydropic female infant (46XX) with bilateral pulmonary agenesis, unilateral microophthalmia, and bilateral renal dysplasia. These eye and pulmonary findings have now been associated several times and may constitute a new syndrome. Ultrasound examination before delivery showed polyhydramnios and fetal hydrops. At autopsy the heart was structurally normal, aside from absent pulmonary connections. The ductus arteriosus was partially closed. This was felt to be etiologic in the hydrops. As the source of the amniotic fluid here could not be urine or pulmonary secretions, direct fluid transfer from fetal vasculature or skin was the likely origin.

Single, mediastinal, unilobar lung--a rare form of subtotal pulmonary agenesis

We describe a case of a full-term infant with severe respiratory failure and pulmonary insufficiency caused by an anomaly consisting of a single, unilobar lung arising from the trachea and situated in the middle mediastinum. Plain film, echocardiogram, and surgical aspects will be described and correlated with the post mortem findings and embryologic considerations. We were unable to find a similar case reported in the literature and conclude that this rare lesion represent an intermediate form between total and unilateral pulmonary agenesis.

Bilateral pulmonary agenesis and microphthalmia

We describe a stillborn boy with bilateral pulmonary agenesis associated with bilateral microphthalmia. The diagnosis defied antenatal ultrasonography and M-mode echocardiography. There were associated absence of bronchi, pleural cavities, pulmonary arteries, and veins; overriding of the aorta with high ventricular septal defect; a nodular vestige of the main pulmonary artery; and eventration of the left hemidiaphragm. The brain was normal to gross examination. Karyotype was 46,XY. Bilateral pulmonary agenesis is rare, this being only the third known case associated with deficiency of ocular tissue and the first such case in conjunction with a brain of normal gross structure. The cause is unknown.

Pulmonary and diaphragmatic agenesis: report of affected sibs

We report on two sibs with pulmonary and diaphragmatic agenesis, a rare combination of malformations. We conclude that this represents a previously undescribed autosomal recessive condition affecting either multiple developmental fields or a single complex polytopic field.

Bilateral pulmonary agenesis: association with the hydrolethalus syndrome and review of the literature from a developmental field perspective

Only a few cases of bilateral pulmonary agenesis have been reported. Recently we saw such a case in an infant with the hydrolethalus syndrome. This observation seems to indicate that bilateral pulmonary agenesis is a severe expression of a developmental field defect that usually is represented by abnormal lung lobation or hypoplasia. The previously reported cases are discussed from the perspective of the developmental field concept.

Bilateral pulmonary agenesis

Two cases of bilateral pulmonary agenesis in infants of 31 and 41 weeks gestation are reported. In addition to absence of both lungs, major abnormalities not previously reported were also found in other systems. It is concluded that these abnormalities are not due to chromosomal abnormality but no alternative can be offered.

Bilateral pulmonary agenesis, oesophageal atresia, and the first arch syndrome

DeBuse, P. J., and Morris, G. (1973). Thorax, 28, 526-528. Bilateral pulmonary agenesis, oesophageal atresia, and the first arch syndrome. This is the case report of an infant born alive with absence of both lungs, atresia of the oesophagus, and the first arch syndrome.

Complete agenesis of the lung

Images