Ultrasound Differential Diagnosis and Prognosis of Right Main Bronchus Atresia in Fetus: Clinical Case

Abstract

Background. Obstructive lesion of upper respiratory tract in fetus is extremely rare pathology with adverse perinatal outcomes.Clinical Case Description. Ultrasound examination of fetus (gestational age 21 weeks 6 days) has revealed one-sided isolated main bronchus atresia. Atresia was presented as enlargement of right lung due to mucus accumulation, its increased echogenicity, mediastinal displacement to the left and left lung size reduction. We performed differential diagnosis with cystic-adenomatous lung malformation type III, congenital lobar emphysema and pulmonary sequestration. These conditions are also characterized by lung echogenicity and volume increase but they are usually limited to one lung lobe or segment, and pulmonary sequestration has a systemic blood supply. The use of high-frequency transducers, lung vessels Doppler imaging and volume echography allow us to investigate in detail the lung structure of the fetus, correctly calculate the lungs volume and timely the main bronchus atresia at the second trimester of pregnancy.Conclusion. The ultrasound diagnosis of isolated main bronchus atresia is based on revealing of increased lung volume on ipsilateral side, its increased echogenicity, presence of hypoechogenic linear tubular structures (bronchocele), mediastinal displacement to the opposite side and extreme hypoplasia of the contralateral lung. Prognosis for the life is unfavorable.