Left pulmonary aplasia with ipsilateral renal agenesis and double superior vena cava in a term neonate: a case report
Janaa Issa1, Ahmad Fasfoos1, Nardeen Hroub1
1Faculty of Medicine, Hebron University, University Street, Hebron, Hebron Governorate, P.O. Box 40, West Bank, Palestine.
Background:
Unilateral pulmonary agenesis/aplasia is rare and often accompanied by extrapulmonary anomalies that affect prognosis.
Case Report:
A term male neonate delivered by cesarean section for fetal distress required brief invasive ventilation and was subsequently stabilized. Chest radiography revealed left hemithorax opacification. Contrast-enhanced CT on day 4 demonstrated a reduced left hemithorax with an absent left pulmonary parenchyma, a blind-ending left main bronchus, and an absent ipsilateral pulmonary arterial supply, consistent with left pulmonary aplasia. Evaluation also identified left renal agenesis with compensatory right renal hypertrophy and double superior vena cava, with discordant drainage descriptions across modalities requiring confirmation. The infant transitioned to room air, established feeds, and was discharged clinically stable on day 9 after birth.
Conclusion:
Definitive anatomic characterization of unilateral thoracic opacity in neonates should prompt systematic cardiovascular and genitourinary screening and coordinated multidisciplinary follow-up in an outpatient setting.
