Presentation
Right upper quadrant abdominal pain and lower chest pain following assault.
Patient Data
The chest x-ray was reported normal.
In retrospect (after review of subsequently performed CT) - subtle oligemia within the left midzone.
There is a well-demarcated/geographic lucency involving the superior portion of the left lower lobe. The affected lung is oligaemic. A thin-walled cystic focus is present centrally.
No traumatic findings were identified.
Case Discussion
Bronchial atresia is a congenital abnormality which is typically asymptomatic and most commonly diagnosed incidentally (as in this case).
Characteristic findings include:
- mucocoele (bronchocoele)
- occlusion of the bronchus central to the mucocoele
- lucent changes within the peripheral lung
The condition is benign and generally does not require treatment. Surgical resection is considered only in cases of recurrent infection failing medical management or where there is concern for malignancy 1.
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