Magnetic resonance imaging for congenital lung malformations

Abstract

Congenital lung malformations are most often identified on prenatal US screening. Fetal MRI is often performed to further evaluate these lesions. Although some of these lesions might cause prenatal or early postnatal symptoms that require urgent management, the majority are asymptomatic at birth and might be subtle or invisible on chest radiographs. Postnatal imaging is frequently deferred until 3–6 months of age, when surgery or long-term conservative management is contemplated. High-quality imaging and interpretation is needed to assist with appropriate decision-making. Contrast-enhanced chest CT, typically with angiographic technique, has been the usual postnatal imaging choice. In this review, the author discusses and illustrates the indications and use of postnatal MR imaging for bronchopulmonary malformations as well as some differential diagnoses and the advantages and disadvantages of MR versus CT.

Accuracy of Chest Computed Tomography in Distinguishing Cystic Pleuropulmonary Blastoma From Benign Congenital Lung Malformations in Children

“…Other investigators have also observed that cystic PPB may be indistinguishable from CPAM by CT. 20 , 21 , 22 , 36 Although magnetic resonance imaging may play a diagnostic role in a few cases, this imaging modality usually provides suboptimal visualization of the lung parenchyma owing to low magnetic resonance signal from proton-poor lung tissue. 37 …”

Lung Ultrasound in Pediatrics and Neonatology: An Update

“…They can cause severe respiratory distress and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) [68]. Congenital lung malformations (CLM) can be prenatally diagnosed with US screening, eventually complemented with antenatal MRI for a more accurate evaluation [69]. They are usually discovered during the mid-second-trimester US (19-22 weeks of pregnancy) with well-defined sonographic patterns to assess location, size, composition (solid, cystic or mixed), and blood supply.…”

School-age structural and functional MRI and lung function in children following lung resection for congenital lung malformation in infancy

“…Congenital lung malformations, including congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM), extra- and intralobar bronchopulmonary sequestration, congenital lobar and segmental emphysema, and bronchogenic cyst, are amongst the most frequent abnormalities detected in utero [ 1 , 2 ]. With improved prenatal ultrasound, the incidence has seen a rise; however, congenital lung malformations remain a rare condition in the overall population [ 3 , 4 ].To date, the management of congenital lung malformations, such as CPAM, bronchopulmonary sequestration and the overlap of these two (hybrid lesions), is still controversial. For children symptomatic at birth, a surgical approach, such as lobectomy, segmentectomy or cyst removal, is widely accepted [ 5 , 6 ].…”