Right pulmonary agenesis associated with remaining bronchus stenosis, an equivalent of postpneumonectomy syndrome. Treatment by insertion of tissue expander in the thoracic cavity

Abstract

We report a case of right pulmonary agenesis with worsening of mediastinal shift during a viral bronchiolitis at the age of 5 months. The respiratory failure was due to stretching and narrowing of the remaining bronchus, as in postpneumonectomy syndrome. Weaning of respiratory assistance was possible after inserting a tissue expander in the empty side of the thoracic cavity. The correction of the shift brought a liberation of the left main stem bronchus. The main risk is heart compression. The child is now 3 years old and is at home. Filling of the prosthesis is done according to the clinical evolution.