Leonor Alamo1, Sarah Saltiel2, Estelle Tenisch3. 1. Unit of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: Leonor.alamo@chuv.ch. 2. Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: Sarah.Saltiel@chuv.ch. 3. Unit of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: Estelle.Tenisch@chuv.ch.
Abstract
PURPOSES: The classification of lung sequestrations distinguishes between extralobar and intralobar types, according to their venous drainage - systemic vs pulmonary - and the presence or absence of independent pleura. However, imaging, surgical and/or pathological findings often differ from this description. The objectives of this article are to quantify the percentage of lung sequestrations that do not fit the classic description of extra- and intralobar types and to evaluate the accuracy of the currently used classification. METHODS: A retrospective search identified all children with a confirmed lung sequestration diagnosed and treated in our Hospital over the last 10 years. Two senior pediatric radiologists reviewed their contrast-enhanced computed tomography chest scans and evaluated the main anatomical features that define sequestrations, including pleura, arterial and venous pattern, airways and lung parenchyma. We compared the imaging-, surgical- and pathological findings to those described for extra- and intralobar sequestrations. RESULTS: 25 children (20 M, 5 F) conform the series. Only 13 lesions (52%) filled all criteria described for an extra- or intralobar sequestration. The remaining 12 lesions (48%) had at least one differing criteria, including incomplete independent pleura (n = 2; 8%), mixed systemic and pulmonary arterial supply (n = 1; 4%) or venous drainage (n = 3; 12%), normal connection to airway (n = 1; 4%) and/or coexistent congenital lung anomalies (n = 11; 44%). CONCLUSION: Lung sequestrations seem to represent a spectrum of anomalies rather than separated entities. Therefore, a detailed description of their main anatomical features could be more relevant for clinicians and surgeons that the rigid distinction in intra- and extralobar sequestration currently applied.
PURPOSES: The classification of lung sequestrations distinguishes between extralobar and intralobar types, according to their venous drainage - systemic vs pulmonary - and the presence or absence of independent pleura. However, imaging, surgical and/or pathological findings often differ from this description. The objectives of this article are to quantify the percentage of lung sequestrations that do not fit the classic description of extra- and intralobar types and to evaluate the accuracy of the currently used classification. METHODS: A retrospective search identified all children with a confirmed lung sequestration diagnosed and treated in our Hospital over the last 10 years. Two senior pediatric radiologists reviewed their contrast-enhanced computed tomography chest scans and evaluated the main anatomical features that define sequestrations, including pleura, arterial and venous pattern, airways and lung parenchyma. We compared the imaging-, surgical- and pathological findings to those described for extra- and intralobar sequestrations. RESULTS: 25 children (20 M, 5 F) conform the series. Only 13 lesions (52%) filled all criteria described for an extra- or intralobar sequestration. The remaining 12 lesions (48%) had at least one differing criteria, including incomplete independent pleura (n = 2; 8%), mixed systemic and pulmonary arterial supply (n = 1; 4%) or venous drainage (n = 3; 12%), normal connection to airway (n = 1; 4%) and/or coexistent congenital lung anomalies (n = 11; 44%). CONCLUSION: Lung sequestrations seem to represent a spectrum of anomalies rather than separated entities. Therefore, a detailed description of their main anatomical features could be more relevant for clinicians and surgeons that the rigid distinction in intra- and extralobar sequestration currently applied.