Abstract
A 13 month female child with h/o recurrent respiratory tract infection developed cough and breathlessness nearly 30 min after breastfeeding. Chest x-ray showed homogeneously opaque right hemi thorax with hyperlucency of left lung field suggestive of lung agenesis without any features of foreign body. Bronchoscopy revealed oedematous mucosa, thick bronchial secretions, mucus plug and white coagulates (apparently from milk) which were removed from left bronchus; trachea continued as left main bronchus without any stenosis or compression with absent right bronchus. Pulmonary agenesis was confirmed by CT scan in the post-operative period. The child made full recovery.
Highlights
Lung aplasia is often associated with acute respiratory distress and has a high mortality rate as this is usually associated with anomalies like coarctation of aorta, aortic stenosis, transposition of great vessels and septa defects [1]
We describe a case of right lung agenesis presenting with respiratory distress due to aspiration of breast milk which was misdiagnosed as a case of foreign body bronchus
Bronchoscopy revealed that trachea continued as left main bronchus without any stenosis or compression with absent right bronchus
Summary
Lung aplasia is often associated with acute respiratory distress and has a high mortality rate as this is usually associated with anomalies like coarctation of aorta, aortic stenosis, transposition of great vessels and septa defects [1]. Bronchoscopic procedures poses a number of challenges in paediatric age group and requires the paediatrician to be fully familiar with airway and medical management.[5] We describe a case of right lung agenesis presenting with respiratory distress due to aspiration of breast milk which was misdiagnosed as a case of foreign body bronchus. The child had cough, dyspnea, and tachypnea with peripheral cyanosis Her heart rate was 140/min, respiratory rate was 45/min and oxygen saturation was 85% in room air. Figure: Contrast enhanced CT-scan of thorax Showing absence of right bronchus and pulmonary parenchyma. Contrast enhanced CT-scan thorax showed absence of right bronchus and pulmonary parenchyma with normal hyper-inflated left lung extending anteriorly across midline to right, and slightly posterior deviation of trachea. After 5 days of treatment child was discharged from hospital
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call