Sequestration of the lung in children.

Nine cases of sequestration of the lung were seen in children. Bronchopulmonary sequestration of the lung is a distinct congenital anomaly and clinical entity that can be distinguished from other congenital abnormalities of the lung. Such a congenital anomaly must be considered in children who, on roentgenologic examination, are found to have an opacity in the lower lung fields. Intralobar bronchopulmonary sequestration often is associated with recurrent pulmonary sepsis, whereas extralobar sequestration is less likely to be symptomatic and usually exhibits no abnormal physical findings. In a unique case, we found an extralobar sequestration associated with an esophageal duplication that communicated with the sequestered lobe but not with the esophagus. This situation represents a transitional stage in embryonic development of extralobar sequestration. Intralobar and extralobar forms of sequestration show many common characteristics indicating a common embryogenesis. Surgical excision, consisting of lobectomy or segmentectomy, is safe and effective and may be accomplished without morbidity or mortality.