Pulmonary Hypoplasia in a Young Adult

Left pulmonary aplasia with multiloculated effusion and pericardial defects in a young adult: a case report

“…As pulmonary aplasia is a neonatal condition, patients rarely survive until adulthood; however; long term survival in adults is due to the compensatory hypertrophy of the contralateral lung, as seen in our case [4]. To conclude this case depicts the unusual presentation of pulmonary aplasia with pericardial defects managed effectively, that has not been reported in the literature.…”

“…Prognosis depends on the extent of pulmonary development and associated congenital anomalies. Left-sided PA has a better prognosis than the right because of compensatory hypertrophy of the right lung that is sufficient to meet the bodyʼs oxygen demand, while right-sided PA results in significant mediastinal shift leading to infection or bronchiectasis [3,4]. Pulmonary hypertension is a common complication due to the loss of pulmonary vasculature; however, it was not present in our case due to the compensatory hypertrophy of the contralateral lung [5].…”

“…Recurrent respiratory infections are commonly reported presentation in the rudimentary bronchial pouch, as in our case. Multi-detector CT scan is the investigation of choice; however; bronchoscopy further confirms the diagnosis [4]. Prognosis depends on the extent of pulmonary development and associated congenital anomalies.…”