Late presentation of primary pulmonary lymphangiectasis

Pulmonary lymphangiectasis can occur either as a primary change or secondary to chronic congestion. Primary lymphangiectasis is generally considered to occur exclusively in young children. This report describes three male patients, aged 13, 16, and 19 years, in whom the changes are limited to one lobe or to two lobes and the mediastinum. So far as could be ascertained these patients are the oldest reported. Lymphangiectasis should be considered in the clinical differential diagnosis of "pulmonary cysts" in children and young adults.