Hypoplasia of the left lung presenting as hemoptysis: A case report

Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Jan;98(4):e14077. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000014077.

Abstract

Rationale: Congenital pulmonary dysplasia (CPD), a congenital lung anomaly, is a heterogeneous group of developmental disorders with diverse clinical and imaging manifestations, including pulmonary agenesis, pulmonary aplasia, and pulmonary hypoplasia. Patients with CPD always have recurrent respiratory tract infections, dyspnea, and/or wheezing. To the best of the author's knowledge, no case of CPD with mild to moderate hemoptysis has been reported so far. Considering the rarity of this presentation, we herein report a case of hemoptysis caused by CPD.

Patient concerns: We report on an 11-year-old girl who survived for 11 years with hypoplasia of the left lung without any associated complications except hemoptysis.

Diagnosis: Left pulmonary hypoplasia.

Interventions: The patient underwent left lower pulmonary lobe resection.

Outcomes: The patient recovered favorably after the operation, and no complications were observed. The hemoptysis was controlled and the cough disappeared after the surgery.

Lessons: CPD is a life-threatening disorder rarely encountered in the clinic, which plays an important role in various pediatric respiratory diseases. Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of pulmonary malformations results in unnecessary treatments and hospitalization. The patients should undergo pulmonary contrast-enhanced CT and bronchoscopy for accurate and timely diagnosis, followed by surgical treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Female
  • Hemoptysis / etiology
  • Humans
  • Lung / abnormalities*
  • Lung Diseases / complications
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Lung Diseases / surgery