Laparoscopic removal of an abdominal extralobar pulmonary sequestration.

Extralobar pulmonary sequestrations are rare congenital anomalies that fall into the spectrum of broncho-pulmonary-foregut malformations. The authors describe the laparoscopic removal of an infradiaphragmatic sequestration. The lesion initially presented as a suprarenal mass on antenatal ultrasonographic images. The mass was confirmed on postnatal ultrasonography and computer tomographic scanning. It was followed by magnetic resonance imaging until the patient was 28 months old, at which point it was resected. A review of the literature indicates that infradiaphragmatic sequestrations are readily detectable on antenatal ultrasonographic studies. Advances in imaging technology have made it possible in most cases to distinguish sequestrations from other suprarenal masses including neuroblastomas. However, resection provides a definitive diagnosis and remains the treatment of choice. A laparoscopic approach offers the additional benefits associated with minimally invasive techniques. Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.