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Antenatal and postnatal treatment of pleural effusion and extra-lobar pulmonary sequestration
V Chan1, A Greenough, K N Nicolaides
1Department of Child Health, King's College Hospital, London, U.K.
Insights
A rare congenital lung malformation, extralobar sequestration with pleural effusion, was successfully managed antenatally with a pleuroamniotic shunt. Postnatal treatment included thoracenteses and surgical resection, with documented lung function recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neonatal Medicine
- Congenital Malformations
Background:
- Extralobar sequestration is a rare congenital lung anomaly.
- Pleural effusion in neonates can complicate congenital lung malformations.
- Antenatal diagnosis allows for proactive management strategies.
Observation:
- A fetus was diagnosed with extralobar sequestration and pleural effusion.
- A pleuroamniotic shunt was placed for chronic effusion drainage.
- The infant underwent postnatal thoracenteses and surgical resection of the sequestration.
Findings:
- The pleuroamniotic shunt effectively managed the fetal pleural effusion.
- Postnatal surgical intervention successfully removed the extralobar sequestration.
- Lung function measurements confirmed recovery after treatment.
Implications:
- Antenatal intervention can improve outcomes for neonates with complex lung anomalies.
- Multimodal management (shunting, surgery, monitoring) is effective.
- This case highlights successful management of a challenging congenital condition.
Abstract:
An infant is reported who was identified antenatally to have an extralobar sequestration and a pleural effusion. Chronic drainage of the effusion was achieved by placement of a pleuroamniotic shunt. After delivery the infant underwent several thoracocenteses and then definitive surgery to remove an extralobar sequestration. The postnatal course was documented by lung function measurements.