Pulmonary Agenesis in a Newborn

Abstract

There are all transitions from hypoplasia of the lung to agenesis or aplasia of a lung lobe and to complete absence of the entire lung system as classifies such malformations as follows: a) unilateral complete absence of lung and bronchus, b) absence of one half of the lung and a short blind course of the associated bronchus, c) trunk bronchus formed, lung as a hazelnut- to fist-sized, unflap fist- sized, unlobed, fleshy structure in the mediastinum [1-31]. The malformations mentioned in a) and b) occur very rarely, somewhat more frequently the others. Concomitant malformations are often, but by no means always, observed in pulmonary agenesis: Tracheal anomalies, diaphragmatic defects, intestinal malformations, absence of a kidney, facial malformations, auricular appendages, congenital heart defects and oesophageal atresia [6,7,8-22]. Most of the cases are left-sided concomitant malformations [1,14,17,22]. A familial occurrence has been reported, but the family history was not very helpful in this regard [1-31].