Congenital Malformations of the Lung

Abstract

Congenital malformations of the lung are presenting many different types of histological and anatomical anomalies developing during the prenatal period. Classification can be made into congenital pulmonary airway malformation, bronchopulmonary sequestration, bronchial atresia, bronchogenic cyst and congenital lobar emphysema. Prenatal imaging, most usually by ultrasound in the clinical routine, is revealing and magnet-resonance-imaging might help to specify, but only surgical treatment and histological examination can determine the definitive diagnosis. In those malformations containing the risk of cardiac affection and hydrops, dyspnoea, recurrent infections and malignancy the best therapy at the right time needs to be interdisciplinary discussed in a team of surgeons, radiologists and obstetric gynecologists specialized in prenatal diagnostic. This chapter covers the different entities of congenital lung malformations, their diagnosis and differential diagnosis as well as the therapeutic options including prenatal medication, fetal intervention, ex-utero intrapartum treatment or resection after birth, by either minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or by conventional open surgery.