Lung malformations (sequestration, CPAM or hybrid lesions)

Congenital lung malformations are very rare. They are usually diagnosed prenatally (before birth). In the vast majority of cases, the malformations only affect part of the lung. There are different types, so-called "sequesters" or "CPAM". Furthermore, so-called "hybrid lesions" are described, which have parts of a sequester and a CPAM. Congenital lung malformations are only rarely associated with other malformations.

Babies with congenital lung malformations usually have few or no symptoms. Possible symptoms include shortness of breath, pneumonia and pneumothorax (a pathological accumulation of air between the lungs and the thoracic wall).

The diagnosis of congenital lung malformations usually begins prenatally (i.e. before birth) using ultrasound or MRI of the growing foetus. Later, a computerised tomography scan of the lungs is carried out in the first few months of life to improve diagnosis. This helps the paediatric surgeon to plan the operation.

The treatment of congenital lung malformations consists of complete surgical removal at the age of around three to six months. For this purpose, an incision about five centimetres long is made on the affected side of the chest wall. With the help of magnifying glasses, the lung malformation is meticulously separated from the healthy lung and removed.

Patients typically recover very quickly from the procedure and are back home after one to three days.

The prognosis for congenital lung malformations after surgical removal is very good. In particular, if the operation is performed in the first year of life, as is the case at UKBB, the remaining lung will typically regain completely normal lung function, so that your child should have no restrictions in later life and can also participate in competitive sports, for example.