Hyperechoic congenital lung lesions in a non-selected population: from prenatal detection till perinatal management.

OBJECTIVE

To present longitudinal observations of hyperechoic lung lesions (HLL) in a non-selected population from the time of prenatal diagnosis by ultrasound (US) until postnatal surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of all fetuses diagnosed with an HLL between 1990 and 2005 in our Fetal Medicine Unit.

RESULTS

We observed 21 cases of HLL. Among the 17 fetuses with unilateral lesion, two cyst punctures were attempted on fetuses with signs of fetal compromise. Termination of pregnancy (TOP) was performed on seven fetuses. Fourteen fetuses were followed till birth. First Chest X-ray was abnormal in ten cases, while delayed CT scans revealed a lung lesion in 12 cases. Two neonates required emergency surgery and died post operatively. Surgery was successfully performed in all other cases (n = 10). Pathological examination revealed congenital high airway obstruction syndrome, CHAOS (n = 4), lower airway stenosis (n = 2), bronchogenic cyst (n = 1), congenital lobar emphysema (n = 1), and congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, CCAM (n = 11) including two cases associated with a sequestration.

CONCLUSION

HLL cover a wide spectrum of lung abnormalities of various severities. Post natal management should always include an early chest X-ray and CT scan to allow appropriate selection for surgery.