Swyer-James syndrome
Updates to Article Attributes
Swyer-James syndrome (SJS) (also known as Sywer-James-MacLeod syndrome and Bret syndrome) is a rare lung condition that manifests as unilateral hemithorax lucency as a result of post-infectious obliterative bronchiolitis.
Epidemiology
The condition typically follows a viral respiratory infection (adenovirus) insuch as adenoviruses or mycoplasma pneumonia infection in infancy or childhood 2-6.
Radiographic features
Plain film
It is generally characterized on radiographs by a unilateral small lung with hyperlucency and air trapping 2.
CT
CT shows the affected lung as being hyperlucent with diminished vascularity. The size of the majority of the affected lobes are smaller although occasionally they can be normal 3. There is usually no anteroposterior gradient attenuation 4. Bronchiectasis may be present although this is not a universal finding 5.
Nuclear medicine
Quantitative ventilation/perfusion lung scan shows a photopaenic area in the affected aspect.
History and etymology
The condition was first described in Canada in the 1950s by:
- Paul Robert Swyer: English paediatrician in Canada
- William Mathieson MacLeod: English pulmonologist (1917-1977)
- George C W James: Canadian radiologist
It has also been referred to as MacLeod syndrome, but this is not advised given the presence of a rare genetic malformation bearing a similar name: McLeod syndrome. It was also described by J Brett in France, hence reference to the same condition as Janus syndrome and Bret syndrome.
-<p><strong>Swyer-James syndrome (SJS)</strong> (also known as <strong>Sywer-James-MacLeod syndrome </strong>and <strong>Bret syndrome</strong>) is a rare lung condition that manifests as <a href="/articles/unilateral-hemithorax-lucency">unilateral hemithorax lucency</a> as a result of post-infectious <a href="/articles/obliterative-bronchiolitis">obliterative bronchiolitis</a>. </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>The condition typically follows a viral respiratory infection (adenovirus) in infancy or childhood <sup>2-6</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain film</h5><p>It is generally characterized on radiographs by a unilateral small lung with hyperlucency and air trapping <sup>2</sup>.</p><h5>CT</h5><p>CT shows the affected lung as being hyperlucent with diminished vascularity. The size of the majority of the affected lobes are smaller although occasionally they can be normal <sup>3</sup>. There is usually no anteroposterior gradient attenuation <sup>4</sup>. <a href="/articles/bronchiectasis">Bronchiectasis</a> may be present although this is not a universal finding <sup>5</sup>.</p><h5>Nuclear medicine</h5><p>Quantitative ventilation/perfusion lung scan shows a photopaenic area in the affected aspect.</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>The condition was first described in Canada in the 1950s by:</p><ul>- +<p><strong>Swyer-James syndrome (SJS)</strong> (also known as <strong>Sywer-James-MacLeod syndrome </strong>and <strong>Bret syndrome</strong>) is a rare lung condition that manifests as <a href="/articles/unilateral-hemithorax-lucency">unilateral hemithorax lucency</a> as a result of post-infectious <a href="/articles/obliterative-bronchiolitis">obliterative bronchiolitis</a>. </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>The condition typically follows a viral respiratory infection such as adenoviruses or mycoplasma pneumonia infection in infancy or childhood <sup>2-6</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain film</h5><p>It is generally characterized on radiographs by a unilateral small lung with hyperlucency and air trapping <sup>2</sup>.</p><h5>CT</h5><p>CT shows the affected lung as being hyperlucent with diminished vascularity. The size of the majority of the affected lobes are smaller although occasionally they can be normal <sup>3</sup>. There is usually no anteroposterior gradient attenuation <sup>4</sup>. <a href="/articles/bronchiectasis">Bronchiectasis</a> may be present although this is not a universal finding <sup>5</sup>.</p><h5>Nuclear medicine</h5><p>Quantitative ventilation/perfusion lung scan shows a photopaenic area in the affected aspect.</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>The condition was first described in Canada in the 1950s by:</p><ul>
References changed:
- 7. John S, Ramanathan J, Swischuk L. Spectrum of Clinical and Radiographic Findings in Pediatric Mycoplasma Pneumonia. Radiographics. 2001;21(1):121-31. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1148/radiographics.21.1.g01ja10121">doi:10.1148/radiographics.21.1.g01ja10121</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11158648">Pubmed</a>
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