An angiographic dilemma: bronchopulmonary sequestration versus pseudosequestration: case reports

Area of Science:

• Medical imaging
• Thoracic surgery
• Congenital anomalies

Background:

• Bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) is a congenital lung malformation.
• Characterized by non-functional lung tissue with systemic arterial supply.
• Normal tracheobronchial and pulmonary arterial connections are absent.

Observation:

• Angiographic findings suggestive of BPS are sometimes observed.
• However, surgical exploration reveals no actual sequestration in some patients.
• Three cases of pseudosequestration with systemic arterialization of lung portions are presented.

Findings:

• Pseudosequestration mimics bronchopulmonary sequestration on angiography.
• This condition presents a preoperative diagnostic challenge.
• Aberrant systemic arterial supply to normal lung tissue can occur without sequestration.

Implications:

• Recognizing pseudosequestration is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
• Avoidance of unnecessary surgical intervention for misdiagnosed BPS.
• Further research into the pathogenesis and diagnostic criteria for pseudosequestration is warranted.