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Cystic intrapulmonary lymphangioma: HRCT findings
1Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
Insights
A rare cystic intrapulmonary lymphangioma in an infant presented with pneumothorax. High-resolution CT (HRCT) findings, including associated septal thickening, aid in differentiating this from other cystic lung diseases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Cystic intrapulmonary lymphangioma is a rare congenital lung malformation.
- Infantile respiratory distress and pneumothorax can be presenting symptoms.
Observation:
- A 6-month-old infant presented with respiratory distress and pneumothorax due to a left lung lesion.
- Chest radiography revealed a multicystic lesion mimicking congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation.
- High-resolution CT (HRCT) demonstrated a multiseptate, air-filled cystic lesion in the left hilar area.
Findings:
- Associated HRCT findings included thickening of interlobular septa and bronchovascular bundles.
- Peripheral pulmonary vessels were noted within apical cystic lesions in the left lung.
- HRCT findings correlated with histopathologic examination, confirming the diagnosis.
Implications:
- Specific HRCT findings may help differentiate cystic intrapulmonary lymphangioma from other cystic lung diseases.
- This rare entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric multicystic lung lesions.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management and improved patient outcomes.
Abstract:
We report a rare case of cystic intrapulmonary lymphangioma involving the left lung, which presented with pneumothorax and respiratory distress in a 6-month-old infant. Chest radiographs showed a multicystic lesion in the left lung mimicking the features of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung. The lesion appeared on high-resolution CT (HRCT) as a multiseptate, air-filled cystic lesion in the left hilar area. Associated HRCT findings were thickening of interlobular septa and bronchovascular bundles in the left lung and the presence of peripheral pulmonary vessels within cystic lesions in the apex of the left lung. HRCT findings correlated well with histopathologic findings. We suggest that these associated findings may be helpful in distinguishing this condition from other cystic lung diseases and that this entity should be included in the differential diagnosis of multicystic lung lesions.