Infradiaphragmatic extralobar pulmonary sequestration: masquerading as suprarenal mass

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Medical Imaging
• Congenital Malformations

Background:

• Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital lung malformation characterized by non-functional lung tissue separate from the normal tracheo-bronchial tree.
• It can be intralobar (within the lung lobe) or extralobar (separate from the lung).
• Infra-diaphragmatic pulmonary sequestration is an extremely rare extralobar variant, often associated with other congenital anomalies.

Observation:

• A case of isolated infra-diaphragmatic pulmonary sequestration was detected antenatally.
• Postnatal CT scan revealed the malformation mimicking a suprarenal mass.
• The patient underwent surgical treatment for the condition.

Findings:

• This case represents an extremely rare instance of isolated infra-diaphragmatic pulmonary sequestration.
• The malformation presented as a suprarenal mass on imaging, highlighting a diagnostic challenge.
• The lesion was stable in size and appearance, suggesting a non-neoplastic origin.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering congenital malformations, such as pulmonary sequestration, in the differential diagnosis of antenatal and postnatal suprarenal masses.
• Stable suprarenal masses detected antenatally warrant careful evaluation and may not require immediate surgical intervention.
• Accurate imaging and diagnostic workup are essential to differentiate sequestration from other suprarenal pathologies, potentially avoiding unnecessary surgeries.