Incidental Finding of Right Pulmonary Agenesia Associated With Imperforate Anus: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction. Pulmonary agenesis is the entire absence of lung parenchyma, vascular structures and/or bronchi further than the bifurcation. It is a rare condition; only about 200 cases have been reported worldwide for the year 2000. The anomaly affects both sexes equally and may be unilateral or bilateral. The diagnosis, as well as the prognosis and treatment of the disease is important because it might be confused with other alterations of the lungs.

Case presentation. This paper presents the case of a 3-month- old female infant, born at term who has been treated with a colostomy due to imperforate anus. The patient attended the Los Andes University Hospital Institute because of a dry cough and anterior hyaline rhinorrhea. Physical examination evidenced decreased breath sounds in right hemithorax, bilateral rhonchus and a functioning left colostomy.  Posteroanterior chest radiograph showed ipsilateral displacement of cardiac and tracheal silhouette. Chest computerized tomography with contrast was performed reporting agenesis of right lung, right bronchus, right pulmonary artery branch and dextrocardiac heart. Due to the clinical characteristics, the patient was monitorized and treated in external consult.

Discussion. It is important to emphasize that in this case pulmonary agenesis had an asymptomatic course; the right agenesis was presented as a casual finding associated with imperforate anus.

Key words: Pulmonary agenesis, congenital malformation, imperforate anus.