Korean Society of Thoracic Radiology
The Korean Radiological Society
History
This patient suffered from left chest pain since
Octber 1997. She had not any medical problem before. Plain chest
PA revealed a SPN on left lower lug field. Bronchofiberscopy revealed no
gross abnormality. AFB smear of bronchial washing fluid was negative but
tuberculous antigen was positive on PCR test. Presumptive diagnosis
of pulmonary tuberculosis was given and she was treated under anti-tuberculosis
drug. But follow up check of chest PA in February 1998 showed slight increase
of size of the SPN, so chest CT was taken.
Lab; CBC 4600/11.7/35.6/269,000
PFT mild restrictive type
Findings
Plain radiograph revaeled a SPN with spiculated
margin on left retrocardiac area.. Follow up check of chst PA 3 months
later refealed slight increase of the SPN, but its nature was not changed.
The mass rather looked as subsegmental collapse-consolidation with considerable
contrast enhancement. Low attenuation with well-defined border within the
lesion simulates mucoid impaction or necrotic cavity. The extrapleural
space is widened adjacent to the lesion and a dilated vessels shadows within.
Discussion
Pulmonary sequestration is defined as a segment of lung parenchyma
separated from the normal bronchial tree and its blood supply from systemic
artery. Three quarters of the cases are intralobar sequstration,
and the most occurred in the lower lobe, usually on the left. The main
pathologic changes are chronic inflammation, cystic changes and fibrosis,
The anomalous arterial feeder is usually located in the inferior pulmonary
ligament. The radiographic findings varied on the pathology, 1) relatively
homogenous consolidation or mass-like shadow, 2) persistent or recurrent
pneumonia in the lower lobe, 3) single or muti-cystic shadow with or without
air-fluidlevel along with the progress of inflammation. Rarely it may present
as localized emphysema, left-to-right shunt simulaing pulmonary AVM or
calcified mass Differential diagnosis includes lung abscess, necrotizing
pneunomia, fungal or tuberculous infection in case of cavitary lesion,
or bronchiectasis, emphysema, pneumatocele, bronchogenic cyst, CCAM, diaphragm
herniation or eventration in case of multi-cystic lesion.
References
1. Pulmonary sequestration: six unusual presentations AJR 1980;134:695-700
2. The continum of pulmonary developmental anomalies. Radiographics
1987;747
3. Imaging of pulmonary sequestration. AJR 1990;154:241-249
4. Intralobar sequestration: Radiologic-pathologic correlation. Radiographics
1997;17:725-745