Foetal intralobar lung sequestration: antenatal diagnosis and management

The objectives of this study are to discuss the use of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of foetal intralobar sequestration (FILS) antenatally and the management options available for these pregnancies.

This is a retrospective review of six cases of FILS diagnosed antenatally by two dimensional (2D) and colour Doppler ultrasonography out of a total of 31,508 deliveries over a two-year period at the KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

The incidence of FILS in this hospital was 1 in 5,251 deliveries. 2D ultrasonography showed an echogenic lung in all cases. FILS was confirmed by the demonstration of a systemic vessel leading to the affected lung on colour Doppler examination. After counselling, four terminated their pregnancies during mid-trimester, while two continued their pregnancies to term. Confirmation of the terminated cases was by post-mortem. In the two pregnancies that continued, regular growth scans were done to monitor the progression of the condition. Computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis post-delivery. Both were well but one had a resection of the sequestrated lung although he was asymptomatic. Histology also confirmed the diagnosis.

FILS is a rare anomaly. 2D and colour Doppler ultrasonography are used to diagnose the condition antenatally. Termination of the pregnancy is not always indicated, as there are favourable outcomes from FILS.