Two cases of tracheal agenesis.

Abstract

Tracheal agenesis is a rare cause of respiratory distress in the neonate. It often is diagnosed only post mortem and usually is associated with hydramnios and multisystem abnormalities. Three literature reviews of the subject since 1975 have summarized the 39 reported cases. 13 Survival has been reported as long as six weeks but is usually less than 24 hours. We report two cases recently seen at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Fig 1.—Case 1. Tracheal agenesis and hypoplastic right (R) lung. L indicates left, a shows origin of both main bronchi from esophagus; b, aorta (AO) and pulmonary trunk (PT) (right pulmonary artery [RPA] is atretic, and three collateral arteries supply R lung from descending thoracic AO. Preductal coarctation of AO, patent ductus arteriosus [PDA], and normal left pulmonary artery [LPA] are present); c, anomalous pulmonary venous connection from R lung into left lower pulmonary vein (LA indicates left atrium);