Pulmonary sequestrations: prenatal ultrasound diagnosis, treatment, and outcome

With the development of antenatal diagnosis of pulmonary sequestrations, the authors decided to define more accurate perinatal operative indications.

Antenatal ultrasound scanning (US) enabled the diagnosis of congenital pulmonary malformation in 10 cases between the twentieth and the thirty-third week of amenorrhea (WA; average, 26 WA). An absolute or relative regression of the thoracic mass size was observed in five patients. The systemic arterial blood supply was identified in four patients by Doppler US. Two fetuses required treatment. One of them suffered from a voluminous sequestration, larger than one hemithorax, with polyhydramnios. Three successive paracentesis of ascites and amniotic fluid allowed the pregnancy to continue until term. The second fetus had a sudden left hydrothorax at 30 WA and was treated by a pleuroamniotic shunt. Five spontaneous partial involutions of the mass during the antenatal period were observed. The 10 patients underwent surgery after birth. There was no mortality. Morbidity occurred in one case of antenatal treatment. Twenty-eight other cases of antenatal diagnosis of pulmonary sequestration have been described in the medical literature. Spontaneous involution of the mass has been reported in eight fetuses and its complete disappearance in two cases. Thirteen fetuses had polyhydramnios. Five of these progressed spontaneously without treatment; only two survived. Two other fetuses were drained or punctured, and one survived. Premature deliveries were undertaken for the six other fetus; there was one perinatal death.

Sequestrations with polyhydramnios may be treated in an early prenatal period. Mortality and morbidity rates are still high. At birth, large-sized sequestrations (more than half a hemithorax) must be operated on, even in cases of no respiratory distress. Medium-sized sequestrations must be operated on to remove the mass. Small and asymptomatic sequestrations must be operated on in case of intralobar forms (often cystic), or with a big blood supply. The artery may be responsible for severe complications (hemoptysis, aneurysm).