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Updated: May 15, 2026
07:27
Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome
Published on: January 23, 2026
A fighter pilot case of pulmonary sequestration.
Li Cui1, Xian-Rong Xu, Jian-Guo Chui
1Center of Clinical Aviation Medicine, General Hospital of PLAAir Force, Beijing, China.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|January 16, 2013
Summary
Endovascular treatment offers a less invasive option for pulmonary sequestration in pilots. This approach successfully treated a fighter pilot, restoring lung function and allowing return to duty.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital condition characterized by abnormal lung tissue with a non-functional blood supply.
- Diagnosis typically relies on identifying aberrant arterial supply, often using imaging techniques.
- Conventional surgical resection, while effective, involves significant trauma and extended recovery.
Observation:
- Pulmonary sequestration has not been previously reported in aviators.
- A case of intralobar pulmonary sequestration in a fighter pilot with a decade of recurrent hemoptysis and infections is presented.
- Diagnosis was confirmed using spiral computed tomography (CT) and digital subtraction angiography.
Findings:
- Transcatheter arterial embolization was performed as the endovascular treatment.
- Post-embolization CT angiography confirmed complete infarction of the sequestered lung tissue.
- The patient experienced no clinical complications and regained normal lung function.
Implications:
- Endovascular treatment provides a safer, less invasive alternative to surgery for pulmonary sequestration.
- This minimally invasive approach can preserve lung function and facilitate a faster return to demanding professions like fighter piloting.
- Successful treatment maintains pilot qualification, highlighting the benefits for aviation personnel.
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