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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
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Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
Published on: March 3, 2023
Agenesis of the right upper lobe
F P Maesen1, W H Geraedts, R Goei
1Department of Pneumology, De Wever Hospital Heerlen, The Netherlands.
Chest
|May 1, 1993
Summary
A rare embryonal variation in the right bronchial tree was found in a 54-year-old woman. This developmental anomaly caused a proximal migration of bronchial branches and tracheal narrowing.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Embryology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- A 54-year-old woman presented with a persistent cough.
- Diagnostic imaging was performed to investigate the cause of her symptoms.
Observation:
- Bronchoscopy and bronchography revealed an unusual anatomical variation.
- The right bronchial tree exhibited abnormal embryonal development.
Findings:
- A proximal migration of the right upper bronchus apical branch towards the trachea was observed.
- Distal migration of the other two right bronchial branches towards the middle lobe bronchus was noted.
- The proximal bronchial migration was associated with tracheal narrowing.
Implications:
- This case highlights an extremely rare embryonal variation in bronchial tree development.
- Understanding such anomalies is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of respiratory conditions.
- Further research into the embryological basis of these variations may improve clinical understanding.
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