Late diagnosed congenital agenesis of the left lung in 15-year-old boy

Pulmonary agenesis is a rare congenital lung defect involving the complete absence of the primary bronchus as well as pulmonary parenchyma and vessels. Unilateral agenesis occurs at the rate of 1/10,000–20,000 pregnancies. The cause of this defect is still unknown. This abnormality does not cause an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pediatria & Medycyna Rodzinna (Online) 2017-03, Vol.13 (1), p.126-132
Main Authors: Jaszczura, Majka, Kleszyk, Magdalena, Bień, Karolina, Machura, Edyta
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
congenital defect
lungs
pulmonary agenesis
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Summary:Pulmonary agenesis is a rare congenital lung defect involving the complete absence of the primary bronchus as well as pulmonary parenchyma and vessels. Unilateral agenesis occurs at the rate of 1/10,000–20,000 pregnancies. The cause of this defect is still unknown. This abnormality does not cause any specific symptoms; it may lead to respiratory failure, but an asymptomatic course lasting many years is also possible. This defect can often be suspected based on a chest radiograph performed for other reasons. We present the case of a 15-year-old boy with an accidental diagnosis of left pulmonary agenesis. Upon diagnosis the patient did not report any complaints. During a routine visit at an allergy clinic decreased vesicular sounds were present on the left side. A subsequent chest radiograph was reported as showing left lung inferior lobe atelectasis, which was an indication for a more comprehensive diagnostic investigation. A computed tomography scan revealed the complete absence of the left lung.
ISSN:1734-1531
2451-0742
DOI:10.15557/PiMR.2017.0013