bubble_chart Overview

Pulmonary sequestration is a congenital malformation characterized by nonfunctional, cystic embryonic lung tissue that is separated from the normal lung. It typically does not communicate with the respiratory tract and receives its blood supply from systemic arteries (branches of the thoracic or abdominal aorta). It can be classified into two types: intralobar and extralobar. The intralobar type is more common, where the affected lung tissue shares the same visceral pleura with the adjacent normal lung and can occur in any lobe, though it is most frequently found in the lower lobe, particularly the left posterior basal segment. The extralobar type is less common, with the affected lung tissue located outside the visceral pleura of the adjacent normal lung, often situated between the left lower lobe and the diaphragm. Surgical treatment is recommended for this condition, with favorable outcomes.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

1. In the early stages of lung disease, it may not communicate with normal bronchi and may not present any symptoms, only appearing as a mass-like shadow on chest X-rays.
2. Symptoms such as cough, sputum production, fever, and recurrent lung infections.

bubble_chart Diagnosis

1. History of recurrent lung infections such as cough, expectoration, and fever.
2. Chest X-ray reveals a mass-like shadow or multilocular cystic shadow in the thorax.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

1. Once diagnosed, this condition should be surgically resected as early as possible, regardless of symptoms, to avoid recurrent infections and subsequent surgical difficulties.
2. If pulmonary infection is present, antibiotics should be administered to control the infection before surgery to reduce surgical complications.

Surgical resection of the affected lung yields good therapeutic outcomes. Notably, the blood supply to the affected lung originates from abnormal stirred pulses, which may be branches of the thoracic aorta or abdominal aorta and are extremely fragile. Careful dissection and handling during surgery are essential to prevent unexpected bleeding. In cases of extralobar sequestration, the lung tissue may communicate with the trachea, bronchi, esophagus, stomach, or intestines, and this should be noted during surgery to minimize complications.

bubble_chart Cure Criteria

1. Cure: Symptoms disappeared after surgery, and the remaining lung expanded well.
2. Improvement: Symptoms improved after surgery.
3. No cure: Symptoms showed no improvement.