Isolated unilateral pulmonary agenesis

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Congenital Abnormalities
• Thoracic Surgery

Background:

• Pulmonary agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by the complete or partial absence of lung tissue.
• It can occur unilaterally or bilaterally and may be associated with other congenital defects, though isolated cases exist.
• Diagnosis often relies on imaging studies such as CT scans.

Observation:

• Reported are two cases of isolated pulmonary agenesis in pediatric patients.
• Case 1: A 13-year-old girl with recurrent chest infections diagnosed with unilateral pulmonary agenesis.
• Case 2: A 10-year-old girl with chronic chest infection and a family history of tuberculosis, diagnosed with left upper lobe pulmonary agenesis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Findings:

• Isolated unilateral pulmonary agenesis presented with chest infection and responded to antibiotics.
• Agenesis of the left upper lobe of the lung, co-occurring with pulmonary tuberculosis, was successfully treated with anti-tubercular therapy.
• These cases highlight the varied clinical presentations and management strategies for pulmonary agenesis.

Implications:

• Pulmonary agenesis, even in isolation, can manifest with significant respiratory symptoms.
• Early diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial for favorable outcomes in patients with pulmonary agenesis.
• Further research into the genetic and developmental factors of isolated pulmonary agenesis is warranted.