[Adenomatous cystic pulmonary malformations: presentation of 26 cases].

We present our experience of 26 cases of cystic adenomatoid malformations of the lung (CAM), treated in the Department of Pediatric Surgery in our hospital between 1967-1991. There were two clinical pictures: one neonatal severe respiratory distress and successive repeated pulmonary infection appearing after the patient's first year of life and requiring both urgent diagnosis and treatment. Embryological development determines the pathologic classification of this entity in 3 types. Basic examinations by image are analyzed, bearing in mind their diagnostic value and the patterns they show. After analysing all the conditioning factors, no explanation has been found to the different course that this affectation (< 1 month and > 1 year of age respectively). Normally, neonatal mortality is closely related to other malformations, particularly to cardiovascular ones. Differential diagnosis is very important in the neonatal period, especially with regard to diaphragmatic hernia, lobar emphysema and pulmonary cysts. All these cases have been verified and classified by means of a pathologic study, which has shown the need for surgical operation. In the follow up of the patients no alteration has been noticed in the pulmonary function.