Pulmonary sequestration

Pulmonary sequestration

This describes a section of non-functional lung separated from the normal bronchial connection with other abnormalities of development, which often include a direct systemic arterial supply from the aorta. V enous return is to the pulmonary veins in the majority of cases. The segment becomes cystic and infected, resulting in the common appearance of a solid lung mass that may be homogeneous or heterogeneous, occasion ally with cystic changes on CT scan. Interlobar sequestration occurs within the lung substance. It may present with recurrent chest infections and/or haemoptysis. Patients with extralobar sequestration are usually asymptomatic because air spaces are not present, and therefore it usually presents as an incidental finding. Theodor Albrecht Edwin Klebs , 1834–1913, Professor of Bacteriology , successively at Prague, Czech Republic; Zurich, Switzerland; and The Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL, USA. Developmental lung cysts have a tendency to become infected. Acquired lung cysts may contain air or fluid and may be single or multiple. Pulmonary hydatid disease is a cause in endemic areas. Air cysts (bullae) may be spontaneous but may be secondary to emphysematous degeneration ( Figure 60.27 ).